The T-cell receptor Vβ gene repertoire and clonal expansion from peripheral blood T cells in benzene-exposed workers in China

Abstract

The toxicity of benzene to lymphocytes is well known; however, little is known about the variety of T-cells that are rearranged after benzene exposure. In order to further understand the relative toxicity of benzene on T-cells, we investigated the features of the complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of T cells from benzene exposed workers. CDR3 of the T-cell receptor variable β-chain (TCRVβ) subfamily genes were amplified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were further subjected to genescan analysis to evaluate the clonality of T cells. Results revealed 2–12 Vβ subfamilies identified in 16 benzene-exposed workers. The number of detectable Vβ subfamilies present in the benzene-exposed group was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0·05). The most frequently used Vβ genes were Vβ3, Vβ21, Vβ6, and Vβ16. We observed a skewed distribution and clonal expansion of TCR Vβ subfamilies in benzene-exposed workers.

Keywords:

• BENZENE
• T-CELL RECEPTOR V BETA GENE
• COMPLEMENTARITY DETERMINING REGION 3
• T-CELL CLONALITY