Immune function in female B6C3F1 mice is modulated by DE-71, a commercial polybrominated diphenyl ether mixture

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Patricia A.,Stavros,Hui-Chen,Mollenhauer,Meagan A.M.,DeWitt Fair (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are an important class of flame-retardants that are environmentally persistent and bioaccumulative. Toxicity of these compounds has become a concern because detectable levels of PBDEs are present in humans and wildlife and they are structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This study examined the effects of the commercial penta-BDE mixture, DE-71, in adult female B6C3F1 mice on hematology, serum clinical chemistry, thyroid hormones, tissue histology, and several immunotoxicity end-points (lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, splenic immunophenotypes, and SRBC-specific-IgM production). Mice were exposed via oral gavage for 28 days to achieve total administered doses (TAD) of 0, 0.5, 5, 50, or 100-‰mg/kg. No changes in histology, clinical chemistry, body or organ weights were observed. Serum total T3 and T4 levels were not altered by any of the DE-71 treatments. Peripheral blood monocyte numbers were decreased by the 0.5, 5, and 50-‰mg/kg treatments, but not by the 100-‰mg/kg TAD concentration. Compared to controls, mitogen-stimulated T- and B-cell proliferation was increased by the 100-‰mg/kg TAD concentration (ED50-‰=-‰60-‰mg/kg TAD [2.14-‰mg/kg/day] and 58-‰mg/kg TAD [2.57-‰mg/kg/day], respectively). NK cell activity was decreased compared to controls by the 100-‰mg/kg TAD concentration (ED50-‰=-‰20-‰mg/kg TAD [0.7-‰mg/kg/day]). No alterations were noted in thymic T-cell populations or in SRBC-specific-IgM production. Numbers of CD19+CD21−, CD19+CD21+, CD4+CD8−, CD4−CD8+, CD4−CD8−, and MHC-II+ cells in the spleen were not affected. However, the numbers of splenic CD4+CD8+ cells were decreased compared to the controls by 0.5, 5, and 100-‰mg/kg TAD. This study provides an assessment of the systemic toxicity and immunotoxicity of DE-71, and indicates that immune parameters are modulated at exposure concentrations lower than previously reported.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2012

Keywords

Polybrominated diphenyl ether, PBDE, DE-71, immune, hematology, splenic CD4+/CD8+ cells, serum clinical chemistry, thyroid hormone, histology

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