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

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 beta-chain (TCRV beta) 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 V beta subfamilies identified in 16 benzene-exposed workers. The number of detectable V beta subfamilies present in the benzene-exposed group was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). The most frequently used V beta genes were V beta 3, V beta 21, V beta 6, and V beta 16. We observed a skewed distribution and clonal expansion of TCR V beta subfamilies in benzene-exposed workers.