RESUMEN
AIM: To investigate the distribution and clonality of TCR Vß subfamily in peripheral blood from workers exposed to lead, in order to understand the change in T cell immunity of occupational lead-exposed workers. METHODS: The CDR3 of TCR Vß 24 subfamily genes was amplified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 6 lead-exposed workers and 6 healthy individuals using RT-PCR, the positive PCR products were further subjected by genescan analysis to identify T cell clonality. RESULTS: All 24 TCR Vß subfamilies were detected in PBMC from 6 healthy individuals which all have polyclonal patterns. Only 1-7 Vß subfamilies could be identified in lead-exposed workers. In detected TCR Vß subfamilies, almost oligoclonal and biclonal patterns which mainly in Vß1 and Vß16. CONCLUSION: The restricted expression and clonal expansion of TCR Vß subfamily have been found in occupational lead-exposed workers, it may have some relationship with lead toxicity damage to the immune function.