[Change in the pattern of peripheral blood TCR V β gene repertoire in occupational lead-exposed workers].

Aim: To investigate the distribution and clonality of TCR Vβ 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 Vβ 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 Vβ subfamilies were detected in PBMC from 6 healthy individuals which all have polyclonal patterns.