Natural killer cell tumoricidal activity in cigarette smokers and in silicotics
LS Newman, K Kreiss, PA Campbell - Clinical immunology and …, 1991 - Elsevier
Cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure have been reported to alter the tumor-killing
activity of blood natural killer (NK) cells. However, NK cell function in relation to silica dust
exposure has not been examined. We studied blood NK cell number, percentage, and
tumoricidal activity in 120 hardrock miners, 57 of whom had radiographic evidence of
silicosis, and in 33 community controls. There was a significant increase in leukocyte count
and lymphocyte count in current smokers compared with former and never smokers, but …
activity of blood natural killer (NK) cells. However, NK cell function in relation to silica dust
exposure has not been examined. We studied blood NK cell number, percentage, and
tumoricidal activity in 120 hardrock miners, 57 of whom had radiographic evidence of
silicosis, and in 33 community controls. There was a significant increase in leukocyte count
and lymphocyte count in current smokers compared with former and never smokers, but …