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S Safe

Publications and source records attributed to S Safe.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) identified in human serum.

Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been identified in wildlife and human samples. Most of these compounds are highly chlorinated (penta-hepatachloro) and contain a single meta- or para-hydroxyl group. Using the Cadogan coupling procedure, the following hydroxy-PCBs congeners were synthesized: 2,3,3',4',5-pentachloro-4-biphenylol, 2,3',4,4',5-pentachloro-3-biphenylol, 2',3,3',4',5-pentachloro-4-biphenylol, 2,2',3',4,4'-pentachloro-3-biphenylol, 2,2',3,3',4',5-pentachloro-4-biphenylol, 2,2',3',4,4',5-hexachloro-3-biphenylol, 2,2',3,4',5,5'-hexachloro-4-biphenylol, 2,2',3,3',4',5,5'-heptachloro-4-biphenylol, 2,2',3',4,4',5,5'-hepatachloro-3-biphenylol, 2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptachloro-4-biphenylol. Many of these compounds have been detected as residues in human serum and current studies are investigating their activities as agonists and antagonists for several endocrine-mediated responses.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

Chlorinated hydrocarbons: estrogens and antiestrogens.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds bind to the intracellular aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and induce a diverse spectrum of biochemical and toxic responses. Ah receptor agonists also modulate several endocrine pathways, and research in several laboratories has shown that TCDD and related compounds inhibit estrogen (E2)-induced responses in the rodent mammary and uterus and in human breast cancer cell lines. The mechanisms of interaction between the TCDD- and E2-induced signaling pathways are complex and some of the inhibitory effects may be related to 5'-flanking inhibitory-dioxin responsive elements (i-DREs) in target genes. The antiestrogenic and antitumorigenic activity of Ah receptor agonists has been used to prepare a series of relatively non-toxic alkyl polychlorinated dibenzofurans which have clinical potential for treatment of mammary cancer.

Animals↗

Molecular mechanism of inhibition of estrogen-induced cathepsin D gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in MCF-7 cells.

17 beta-Estradiol (E2) induces cathepsin D mRNA levels and intracellular levels of immunoreactive protein in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alone does not affect cathepsin D gene expression in this cell line; however, in cells cotreated with TCDD and E2, TCDD inhibited E2-induced cathepsin D mRNA levels, the rate of gene transcription, and levels of immunoreactive protein. The inhibitory responses were observed within 30 to 120 min after the cells were treated with TCDD. TCDD also inhibited E2-induced secreted alkaline phosphatase activity in aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)-responsive MCF-7 and wild-type mouse Hepa 1c1c7 cells cotransfected with the human estrogen receptor (hER) and the pBC12/S1/pac plasmid, which contains the 5' promoter region (-296/+57) of the cathepsin D gene and an alkaline phosphatase reporter gene. The E2-responsive ER/Sp1 sequence (-199 to -165) in the cathepsin D 5' region contains an imperfect GTGCGTG (-175/-181) xenobiotic responsive element (XRE); the role of this sequence in Ah responsiveness was investigated in gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays and with plasmid constructs containing a wild-type ER/Sp1 oligonucleotide or a mutant ER/Sp1-"XRE" oligonucleotide containing two C-->A mutations in the XRE sequence (antisense strand). In plasmid constructs which contained a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and the wild-type ER/Sp1 promoter sequence, E2-induced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity and mRNA levels were inhibited by TCDD whereas no inhibition was observed with the mutant ER/Sp1-"XRE" plasmids. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the nuclear or transformed cytosolic Ah receptor complex blocked formation of the ER-Sp1 complex with the wild-type but not the ER/Sp1 mutant oligonucleotide. Moreover, incubation of the wild-type bromodeoxyuridine-substituted ER/Sp1 oligonucleotide with the nuclear Ah receptor complex gave a specifically bound cross-linked 200-kDa band. These data demonstrate that Ah receptor-mediated inhibition of E2-induced cathepsin D gene expression is due to disruption of the ER-Sp1 complex by targeted interaction with an overlapping XRE.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for antibodies to TNP-LPS detects alterations in serum immunoglobulins and isotype switching in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and related compounds.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect IgM and IgG antibodies specific for trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS). Treatment of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonists followed by immunization with TNP-LPS resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in serum IgM which paralleled the decrease in the splenic PFC response. The ED50 values for the IgM and splenic PFCs in C57BL/6 mice for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (pentaCB) and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB were 2.8 and 1.6, 11 and 14, and 25 and 20 micrograms/kg, respectively; in the less Ah-responsive DBA/2 mice, the ED50 values were 8.5 and 10, 61 and 69, and 73 and 71 micrograms/kg, respectively. In addition, treatment of C57BL/6 mice with TCDD resulted in alterations of serum IgG relative to IgM and a delay of isotype switching was observed after immunization and boosting with TNP-LPS. This ELISA may prove to be a useful tool in monitoring immune function during long-term exposure of mice to TCDD and related compounds and exploring the mechanism of Ah receptor-mediated immunosuppression.

Animals↗

Inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced rat mammary tumor growth by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds inhibit diverse estrogen-induced responses in the rodent uterus and human breast cancer cells. The effects of a single non-toxic dose of TCDD (10 micrograms/kg) on the development of mammary tumors was investigated in female Sprague-Dawley rats treated with an oral dose of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) (20 mg). In rats which developed mammary tumors, subsequent treatment with corn oil (vehicle) resulted in a 3.9-fold increase in mammary tumor volume after 21 days. In contrast, a second group of rats with mammary tumors were treated with a non-toxic dose of TCDD (10 micrograms/kg) and after 21 days, the mean tumor volumes decreased from 89.7 +/- 53 mm3 to 24.9 +/- 28.5 mm3. Moreover, these results demonstrate the antitumorigenic activity of TCDD in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Estrogen receptor-Sp1 complexes mediate estrogen-induced cathepsin D gene expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Cathepsin D is an estrogen (17 beta-estradiol, E2)-inducible lysosomal protease. A putative estrogen receptor (ER)-Sp1-like sequence (GGGCGG(n)23ACGGG) has been identified in the non-coding strand of the cathepsin D promoter (-199 to -165), and electromobility shift assays of nuclear extracts from MCF-7 and HeLa cells confirm that both the ER and Sp1 protein bind to 32P-labeled ER/Sp1 oligo. For example, nuclear extracts from MCF-7 cells bind to the 32P-labeled ER/Sp1 oligo; however, ER/Sp1 binding can be decreased by selective competition with excess unlabeled estrogen responsive element and Sp1 oligos, immunodepletion with ER or Sp1 antibodies, and by treating cells with ICI 164,384, an antiestrogen which inhibits formation of ER homodimer. Moreover, E2-induced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in MCF-7 cells cotransfected with a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a plasmid containing an ER/Sp1 sequence cloned upstream to a thymidine kinase promoter and a CAT reporter. In cotreatment studies, ICI 164,384 inhibited E2-induced CAT activity. In contrast, E2 did not induce CAT activity in MCF-7 cells transfected with plasmids containing mutations in the ER or Sp1 segments of the ER/Sp1 oligo, thus confirming that both cognate binding sites are required for estrogen responsiveness.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Benzo[a]pyrene-resistant MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. A unique aryl hydrocarbon-nonresponsive clone.

Wild-type MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were cultured for 3 months in 1 microM benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and resistant clones were screened for inducibility of CYP1A1 gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). One of the BaP-resistant (BaPR) clones exhibited unique genotypic expression which distinguished it from both wild-type and drug-resistant (AdrR) variant MCF-7 cells. Glutathione levels, glutathione S-transferase activities, estrogen receptor levels, estrogen responsiveness, and expression of the multidrug-resistant MDR1 and MRP mRNA levels were similar in the wild-type and BaPR cells, whereas these parameters were reported to be altered in AdrR cells. In contrast, TCDD induced CYP1A1 gene expression and inhibited selected estrogen-induced responses in wild-type but not BaPR MCF-7 cells. Treatment of wild-type and BaPR cells with [3H]TCDD resulted in formation of the radiolabeled aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) 6 S nuclear receptor complex in both cell lines. The loss of Ah responsiveness in the BaPR variant cells correlated with the failure of the nuclear or transformed cytosolic Ah receptor complex to bind genomic dioxin-responsive elements as determined in gel retardation assays.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

High passage T47D human breast cancer cells: altered endocrine and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin responsiveness.

Low passage (L) T47D cells cultured for up to 12 months in media containing fetal bovine serum, fetal bovine serum plus 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol and estrogen-deficient media gave high passage cells denoted H, H(E+) and H(E-) cells, respectively, which exhibited differential responsiveness to 17 beta-estradiol, various growth factors, tamoxifen, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and their combinations. Moreover, the altered mitogen/antimitogen responsiveness was paralleled by changes in hormone receptor levels, cellular architecture and ploidy. Estrogen receptor binding levels in the H, L and H(E+) cells varied from 36 to 155 fmol/mg protein; in contrast, the estrogen receptor binding in H(E-) cells exhibited a time-dependent increase from 81 to 1229 fmol/mg after culturing in estrogen-deficient media for approximately 12 months. Gel mobility shift assays of the nuclear estrogen receptor extracts from high and low passage cells with 32P-labeled estrogen responsive element showed that levels of the estrogen receptor-estrogen responsive element retarded band were lower in all the high passage cells compared to the low passage cells. These studies further illustrate the genetic instability of the T47D human breast cancer cell line and the resulting changes in mitogen and antimitogen responsiveness. In addition, the high passage H(E-) cells which express high estrogen receptor but low estrogen responsive element binding represent a unique model system for investigating the cellular and molecular biology of breast cancer cells which appear to be estrogen receptor-positive but are insensitive to antiestrogens.

Base Sequence↗

2-Phenylphenanthridinone and related compounds: aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists and suicide inactivators of P4501A1.

The effects of several 2-substituted phenanthridinones (2-nitro-, 2-t-butyl-, 2-bromo-, 2-phenyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2-methoxy-, 2-iodo-, 2-n-butyl-, 2-chloro-, 2-trifluoromethyl-, 2-fluoro-, 2-isopropyl-, and 2-methyl) and phenanthridinone as ligands for the rat liver cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor were determined using a competitive binding assay and 2,3,7,8-[3H]tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as the radioligand. The competitive binding IC50 values varied from 317 (2-trifluoromethyl-) to 5870 nM (2-methoxyphenanthridinone); the relative low Ah receptor binding affinities for these compounds were paralleled by their weak activity as inducers of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells; however, there was not a correlation between their structure-binding and structure-induction relationship. In cells cotreated with 1 nM TCDD plus different concentrations (0.01-10 microM) of the 2-substituted phenanthridinones, several of these compounds inhibited induction of EROD activity by TCDD; 2-t-butyl- and 2-phenylphenanthridinone (2-PP) were the most active compounds, causing a > 80% reduction in the induced response. 2-PP was selected as a model to further investigate the mechanism of this inhibitory response. The results of interactive studies in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells cotreated with 2-PP plus TCDD or [3H]TCDD showed that 2-PP did not inhibit formation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex or induction of CYP1A1 mRNA levels or CYP1A1 protein. In contrast, incubation of 2-PP with either rat hepatoma H4IIE cells treated with TCDD or hepatic microsomes from TCDD-treated rats resulted in a rapid loss of EROD activity. In parallel experiments, [3H]2-PP was incubated with hepatic microsomes from TCDD-treated rats and analysis by denaturing electrophoresis showed that [3H]2-PP formed a covalent adduct with a 50- to 55-kDa protein and thus acted as a suicide inactivator of CYP1A1.

Animals↗

Development of an in vitro model for investigating the formation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex in mouse Hepa 1c1c7 cells.

An in vitro assay for investigating factors which modulate formation of the nuclear aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor complex was developed using 9S cytosolic Ah receptor isolated from wild-type Hepa 1c1c7 cells treated with 2,3,7,8-[3H]tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) at 4 degrees C and nuclei from Ah-responsive and -nonresponsive wild-type and mutant Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Incubation of the radiolabeled ([3H]TCDD) 9S cytosolic Ah receptor with nuclei from untreated wild-type Ah-responsive mouse Hepa 1c1c7 cells resulted in a time- and temperature-dependent formation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex as determined by either velocity sedimentation analysis or gel mobility shift assays using a consensus 32P-labeled dioxin-responsive element. Maximal levels of the nuclear Ah receptor formed within 30 min at 37 degrees C and significantly lower levels were observed after incubation at 4, 15, or 25 degrees C. Complementation studies using nuclei from untreated wild-type and Ah-nonresponsive class II mutant (translocation-deficient) cells and radiolabeled 9S cytosolic receptor (bound with [3H]TCDD) from both wild-type and mutant cell lines were also carried out. The results indicated that nuclear translocation was primarily inhibited using cytosol from mutant cells confirming the requirement for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator protein for formation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex. The effects of a series of Ah receptor antagonists, ATP, vanadate apyrase, phosphatases, and lectin WGA, on formation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex were also investigated in the in vitro model using radiolabeled cytosolic Ah receptor and nuclei from untreated wild-type Hepa 1c1c7 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Relative sensitivities of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced Cyp1a-1 and Cyp1a-2 gene expression and immunotoxicity in female B6C3F1 mice.

Improvements in risk assessment require better linkage of exposure to response by the determination of target tissue dose. The relative sensitivity of several responses in female B6C3F1 mice was compared on the basis of administered and target tissue dose spanning 3 orders of magnitude. Twenty-four hours after administration, [3H]TCDD was detected in the heart, spleen, kidney, uterus, thymus, lung, and liver, and the highest concentrations were noted in the liver, uterus, and lung. At doses from 5 to 25 ng/kg, hepatic [3H]TCDD levels associated with the cytosolic and nuclear subcellular fractions increased from 12 to 62% of the total liver levels and then decreased at higher doses. At the two lowest doses used in the enzyme induction study, 5 and 10 ng/kg, the levels of specifically bound nuclear Ah receptor complex liganded with [3H]TCDD were 2.3 and 2.5 fmol/mg protein. Slightly higher levels of nuclear Ah receptor complex were observed at doses between 25 and 100 ng/kg (i.e., 3.6 to 4.2 fmol/mg protein) and a steep dose-dependent increase in nuclear Ah receptor levels was noted at doses of 500, 1000, and 5000 ng/kg (8.0, 39.3, and 92.8 fmol/mg protein, respectively). The dose-dependent effects of [3H]TCDD on hepatic Cyp1a-1 and Cyp1a-2 mRNA levels, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, and the splenic antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to sheep red blood cells were also determined; the latter response was determined 9 days after administration of TCDD. Statistically significant induction of hepatic Cyp1a-1 was observed at lower doses (25 ng/kg) than any other marker, followed by induction of EROD and PFCs expressed per spleen or per 10(6) cells which was observed at 100 ng TCDD/kg and at higher doses. Cyp1a-2 was elevated significantly relative to control at doses > or = 1000 ng/kg. The ED50 value for PFCs/10(6) cells was the lowest of the variables analyzed and was not statistically significantly different from control (91 +/- 92 ng/kg). A 50% increase in Cyp1a-2 and Cyp1a-1 mRNA levels was observed at doses of 736 +/- 132 and 1630 +/- 431 ng/kg, respectively. Due to variability in response in PFCs/spleen and the submaximal induction of EROD activity, ED50 values could not be calculated for these responses. The analyses indicate that the immunosuppressive response (when normalized for the number of spleen cells) may be depressed by administered doses as low as 90 ng TCDD/kg body weight. A 50% increase in Cyp1a-1 or Cyp1a-2 was observed at higher administered doses (1630 or 736 ng/kg, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Interaction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and retinoic acid in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Both retinoic acid (RA) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) elicit a number of common biochemical and toxic responses including teratogenic effects in mice and inhibition of cell proliferation of numerous cell lines. In mice, RA plus TCDD interact synergistically as teratogens, suggesting a link between the RA and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signal transduction pathways. In this study, it was shown that both RA and TCDD elicit a number of common responses in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, including inhibition of estrogen-induced cell proliferation and [3H]thymidine uptake, inhibition of nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) ligand binding, and interactions with a consensus [32]estrogen-responsive element in a gel mobility shift assay. RA and TCDD also decrease steady-state ER mRNA levels in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, interactive studies in which cells were treated with both RA plus TCDD also resulted in decreased responses.

Analysis of Variance↗

Inhibition of estrogen-induced progesterone receptor in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonists.

17 beta-Estradiol (E2) induces progesterone receptor (PR) binding, immunoreactive protein, nuclear PR formation and PR mRNA levels in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Gel mobility shift analysis of nuclear extracts from E2-treated cells also exhibited a higher intensity retarded band associated with formation of a PR complex with a consensus [32P]progesterone/glucocorticoid responsive element. In contrast, 1 nM 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alone did not alter or decrease these same responses in MCF-7 cells; however, in cells co-treated with 1 nM TCDD plus 1 nM E2, TCDD significantly inhibited all the E2-induced responses. Scatchard analysis of PR binding demonstrated that TCDD decreased the number of E2-induced PR cellular binding sites but not the binding affinity of the PR for a radiolabeled promegestrone. In parallel studies, 3-methylcholanthrene, a prototypical polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon, also inhibited E2-induced PR binding and immunoreactive protein. For a series of halogenated aromatics including 2,3,7,8- and 1,2,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, 1,3,7,8-TCDD and 6-methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran, their rank order potency for inhibiting E2-induced PR binding paralleled their rank order binding to the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor. These results support a role for the Ah receptor in mediating the antiestrogenic activity of polynuclear and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and illustrate cross-talk between the Ah and estrogen receptor signal transduction pathways.

Blotting, Northern↗

Aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor-independent induction of Cyp1a2 gene expression by acenaphthylene and related compounds in B6C3F1 mice.

Treatment of B6C3F1 mice with acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and dibenzofuran resulted in induction of hepatic microsomal methoxyresorufin O-deethylase (MROD) activity. Acenaphthylene was the most potent inducer of MROD, a Cyp1a2-dependent activity, and was utilized as a prototypical inducer for this group of tricyclic hydrocarbons. Acenaphthylene (300 mg/kg) caused a > 80-fold induction of hepatic microsomal MROD activity; no induction was observed in kidney or lung. Analysis of induced hepatic microsomes with antibodies to Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 showed that acenaphthylene induced immunoreactive Cyp1a2 but not Cyp1a1 proteins and subsequent mRNA analysis confirmed with a cDNA probe for Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 that acenaphthylene induced Cyp1a2 but not Cyp1a1 mRNA. Results from nuclear run-on experiments using hepatic nuclei showed that acenaphthylene caused an approximately 4-fold increase in the rate of Cyp1a2 gene transcription in B6C3F1 mice. Results of competitive binding studies indicated that the tricyclic hydrocarbons did not competitively displace [3H]2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or [3H]benzo[a]pyrene from the mouse hepatic cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor or 4S carcinogen binding protein respectively. The data indicate that acenaphthylene and related tricyclic hydrocarbons induce Cyp1a2 gene expression in B6C3F1 mice via an Ah receptor-independent pathway. Thus, tricyclic hydrocarbons induce Cyp1a2 without the co-induction of Cyp1a1 and therefore these relatively non-toxic compounds can be used to further probe the role of Cyp1a2 in the metabolism and metabolic activation of diverse chemical carcinogens.

Acenaphthenes↗

Restoration of aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) responsiveness in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells by transient expression of the estrogen receptor.

MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells express the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor; however, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) does not induce CYP1A1 gene expression or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in cells transiently transfected with pRNH11c, and Ah-responsive plasmid derived from the 5'-flanking region of the human CYP1A1 gene. However, when MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with 10 nM TCDD and co-transfected with pRHN11c and a human estrogen receptor (hER) expression plasmid (delta hER), there was approximately a 10-fold increase in CAT activity. The restoration of Ah-responsiveness in MDA-MB-231 cells by expression of nuclear hER was highly specific since parallel studies in which plasmids that express the progesterone receptor and Jun nuclear proteins did not restore Ah-responsiveness to this cell line. Moreover, in cells transiently transfected with the pRNH11c and delta hER plasmids and 10 nM TCDD, overexpression of the Jun protein inhibited the effects of the hER on Ah-responsiveness. Plasmids that express truncated forms of the hER were also active in MDA-MB-231 cells but were not as effective as the complete hER. These studies reveal a unique function for the ER in MDA-MB-231 cells in which expression of this protein results in restoration of Ah-responsiveness.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunosuppressive effects of highly chlorinated biphenyls and diphenyl ethers on T-cell dependent and independent antigens in mice.

The dose-dependent effects of 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-nonachlorobiphenyl (nonaCB), 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6,6'-nonaCB, 2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6,6'-nonaCB and decaCB on the suppression of the splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the T-cell-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and the T-cell-independent antigen, trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS), were determined in genetically inbred mice. In addition, the induction of hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was also measured. The highly chlorinated biphenyls suppressed the splenic PFC response to SRBCs in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice and were relatively more active in the former strain. The C57BL/6 mice are more responsive to aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonists than DBA/2 mice and these data support a possible role for the Ah receptor in mediating this response. However, previous studies with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) indicate that congeners with 3 or 4 ortho-chloro substituents are inactive as Ah receptor agonists and this was consistent with the minimal induction of hepatic microsomal EROD activity by the highly chlorinated biphenyls in both strains of mice. Thus, the results suggest that the inhibition of the splenic PFC response to SRBCs observed in this study was primarily an Ah receptor-independent response. Some of the highly chlorinated diphyenyl ethers namely decachlorodiphenyl ether and 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6,6'-nonachlorodiphenyl ether, inhibited the antigenic response to TNP-LPS in C57 BL/6 mice. The results indicate that the suppression of the TNP-LPS-mediated immune response may be a more reliable indicator of the Ah receptor-dependent immunotoxicity of halogenated hydrocarbons.

Animals↗

Immunotoxic potencies of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), dibenzofuran (PCDF) and dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) congeners in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice.

The dose-dependent effects of a single acute exposure of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF), 1,2,3,7,9-PeCDF, 1,3,6,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (pentaCB), and 3,3,',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB on the suppression of the splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the T-cell-independent antigen trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide were determined in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice. In addition, the induction of hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was also measured in these animals. 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF were the most immunotoxic congeners in both strains of mice and with the exception of the latter congener, the ED50 values for each compound were lower in the C57BL/6 than the DBA/2 mice. 2,3,7,8-TCDD induced hepatic microsomal EROD activity in both strains of mice whereas the other congeners were considerably less active or inactive as inducers. The results of this study demonstrated that for the halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons the immunotoxic response was a more sensitive indicator of exposure than the induction of CYP1A1 activity. The rank order for the immunotoxic potencies of the chlorinated aromatic compounds used in this study was 2,3,7,8-TCDD approximately 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF > 3,3',4,4',5-pentaCB approximately 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexaCB > 1,2,3,7,9-PeCDF > 1,3,6,8-TCDF. The order of activity for these congeners was similar for other Ah receptor-mediated responses and these results coupled with the differential responsiveness of the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice confirms the role of aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor in mediating the suppression of this T-cell-independent response.

Animals↗