T-lymphocytes of the 2nd type of the immune response and their role in enhancing inflammation during the professional activities of firefighters

Abstract

T lymphocytes of the 2nd type of immune response contribute to the development and exacerbation of inflammation, mainly allergic. Increased inflammation with prolonged exposure to adverse factors during the work of firefighters can lead to the development of various diseases. Evaluation of the immunity of firefighters is important for the appointment of adequate treatment and prevention of infectious and allergic diseases. This paper aimed to analyze the indicators of immunity in employees of the state fire service of EMERCOM of Russia, depending on the age and intensity of the professional workload. The surveyed were men (n = 79), mean age 31 years, work experience from 1 to 22 years, with different workload intensity. In peripheral blood, flow cytometry (Navios, FC 500, Beckman Coulter) was used to evaluate subpopulations of monocytes, the relative number of T lymphocytes of the 2nd type of immune response CD3+CD294+. The concentration of total immunoglobulin E (Immulite) was determined. From nasal secretions, the content of secretory immunoglobulin A (Vector Best) was evaluated (n = 30). Statistical processing of the results was performed using the Statistica 12.0 package (StatSoft). An increase in the number of CD3+CD294+ cells was observed in 16.5%. A direct correlation was found between the number of T lymphocytes 2 and the age of the examined persons (р < 0.05). In the group of firefighters with a more intense workload, an increase in the number of CD3+CD294+ cells were 5 times higher (р < 0.05). Among patients who had any disease of the respiratory tract, an increase in this population was observed statistically significantly more often – in 26% of cases versus 11.5%. A strong direct correlation was found between the number of T lymphocytes 2 and the duration of smoking experience (р < 0.05). A direct correlation was established between the number of T lymphocytes 2 and the concentration of total IgE (р < 0.05). A decrease in secretory IgA in the secret from the nasal passages was observed in 23% of firefighters, in 13% of the examined, the indicator went beyond the upper limit of the reference interval. Significantly more often revealed the deviation of this indicator from the reference values in firefighters with a high workload. An increase in the subpopulation of classical monocytes was established in the group of those examined with a high number of CD3+CD294+ cells (p < 0.05). Thus, with an increase in the professional workload of firefighters in unfavorable conditions of service, inhibition of protection to infection and aggravation of damage to the respiratory tract with an increase in the 2nd type of immune response are noted. Evaluation of the number of type 2 T lymphocytes in peripheral blood will reveal a predisposition to the T2 profile of immune inflammation, which will contribute to a personalized approach to patient management.