Immune markers in biological monitoring of occupationally exposed workers

Immune function parameters represent important tools for the evaluation of individual health risk in workers occupationally exposed to immunotoxic ind ustrial chemicals. In vitro lymphocyte proliferation assays were used for b iomonitoring of groups of workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic arom atic hydrocarbons in a rubber factory, and to styrene in the plastic lamina tion plant. Adhesion molecules were measured by Row cytometry in peripheral blood of workers exposed to styrene. In our studies in vitro lymphocyte pr oliferation assays were sensitive indicators of immunotoxic effects of indu strial chemicals. Workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ru bber manufacture displayed enhanced lymphocyte proliferation. Workers occup ationally exposed to styrene had suppressed lymphocyte mitogen proliferatio n response. Styrene exposure appeared to activate the immune system and alt er leukocytes adherence. The peripheral blood lymphocyte expressions of CD1 1b, CD54 and CD62L adhesion molecules were significantly higher among the w orkers exposed to styrene in plastic lamination plant than among unexposed in-plant controls. These data indicate suitability of both assays - in vitr o lymphocyte proliferation assay and the expression of adhesion molecules f or biological monitoring for subclinical immunomodulatory effects in occupa tional settings.