Immune Status of People with an Increased Chromosomal Aberration Level at Later Time Points After Chronic Radiation Exposure

Long after chronic radiation exposure mainly of red bone marrow (mean exposure dose was 0.98 +/- 0.05 Gy, individual dose range was 0.08-2.14 Gy), changes in the T-cell immunity such as a decrease in the relative number of CD3(+) lymphocytes and a decreased absolute number of CD4(+) cells, which did not depend on the maximum dose rate and the absorbed dose on red bone marrow and soft tissues, were observed in peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals with increased levels of chromosomal aberrations (mainly dicentrics and translocations). The concomitant increase in the relative number of CD19(+) lymphocytes, which was mainly determined by the dose rate and absorbed dose on soft tissues, indicated a shift in the immunological balance in the direction of the humoral immune response.