Autoantibodies to neurofilaments (NF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in workers exposed to lead

• Published in: Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association Vol. 74; no. 1-2; p. 121
• Main Authors: Moneim, I A, Shamy, M Y, el-Gazzar, R M, el-Fawal, H A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1999
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational - adverse effects; Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Autoantibodies - blood; Biomarkers - blood; Case-Control Studies; Egypt - epidemiology; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; Follow-Up Studies; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin M - blood; Inhalation Exposure - adverse effects; Inhalation Exposure - analysis; Lead Poisoning - blood; Lead Poisoning - diagnosis; Lead Poisoning - epidemiology; Lead Poisoning - etiology; Lead Poisoning - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Myelin Basic Protein - immunology; Occupational Diseases - blood; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational Diseases - immunology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced; Sensitivity and Specificity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Threshold Limit Values; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Egypt
• ISSN: 0013-2446

An expanded follow-up assessment of the autoantibody response to neuronal and astroglial autoantigens (NF68; NF160; NF200; MBP; GFAP) as early markers of neurotoxicity was performed in male workers exposed to lead (Pb) of a battery factory (n=50) and a matched reference group (R) of workers at a food packing plant (n=39). Mean age, years of exposure and blood lead (PbB ug/dl) (+/-SD) for lead and R, respectively, were: Age:39 +/- 6; 41 +/- 7; Yrs. Exposed: 14 +/- 6:0; PbB: 32 +/- 11: 16 +/- 5 percent with detectable titers to nervous system proteins in the Pb and R populations, respectively, were: Anti-NF68: 59; 17; Anti-NF160: 28; 15; Anti-NF200: 25; 0; Anti-GFAP: 90; 20; Anti-MBP: 16; 4. Autoantibodies to nervous system proteins predominated in workers occupationally exposed to Pb compared to R. Anti-NF68 and GFAP titers were the most frequently encountered. Anti-NF68 titers were significantly correlated with years of exposure (r = 0.538, p < 0.0001) and with PbB (r=0.325, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of detectable autoantibody types correlated with clinical scores of sensorimotor deficits (r = 0.459, p < 0.0001). This study suggests that autoantibodies provide a promising biomarker of neurotoxicity while providing information on subcellular targets. It also raises concerns of toxicant-induced autoimmune neuropathy.