Distinctive aspects of the immune status of the Kola Saami and Russians living in the Far North

• Published in: American Journal of Human Biology
• Main Authors: Gubkina, Lyubov V., Samodova, Anna V., Dobrodeeva, Liliya K.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: Murmansk; Coulter; saami
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23969; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajhb.23969

Abstract Objective The level of immunological reactivity of the indigenous inhabitants of the Far North may depend on the extreme‐discomfort factors of the climatic environment and genetic traits of the population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the distinctive elements of the immune status of the Kola Saami and Russians living in the Far North (Murmansk Region). Methods A complex immunological study of peripheral venous blood composition was performed and involved 67 Saami and 81 Russian inhabitants of the Far North (Murmansk Region) who were aged 21–55. Blood was collected from the cubital vein on an empty stomach in the morning. For the peripheral venous blood, we obtained a hemogram and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, determined the content of lymphocytes with CD4, CD8, CD16, and CD71 phenotypes by indirect immunoperoxidase reaction and flow cytometry using an Epics XL apparatus (Beckman Coulter, United States), obtained concentrations of IL‐6, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, IgA, M, G, E, sCD54, and sCD62L, transferrin, and sCD71 by enzyme immunoassay using the “Evolis” enzyme immunoassay analyzer from Bio‐RAD (Germany), and obtained circulating immune complexes by precipitation using 3.5%, 4.0%, and 7.5% PEG‐6000. The sIgA content was determined in morning saliva, urine, and gastrointestinal tract secretions. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t‐criterion, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results A decrease in the total number of leukocyte cells in the Saami was associated with a high incidence of leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia. Deficiency in active phagocytes and serum IgA and sIgA concentrations was revealed as well as increased contents of CD4+ and CD8+ receptor lymphocytes, membrane and free adhesion molecules, and transferrin. Leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, and eosinophilia with increased contents of natural killer cells, IL‐6, and IL‐10 were recorded more frequently in the Russians. High levels of IgE and IFN‐γ, which ...