Immune function assays as indicators of chromate exposure.
The potential immunomodulatory effects of chromium were investigated using a series of in vitro and in vivo studies. Chromium (as K2CrO4) in concentrations spanning five orders of magnitude was added in vitro to T-lymphocyte (concanavalin A) and B-lymphocyte (liposaccharide) mitogen cultures and was found to inhibit T-lymphocyte responses at all concentrations tested and to inhibit B-lymphocyte responses at all but the lowest concentration tested (0.01 mg/L). When the same concentrations of chromium were employed in mixed lymphocyte cultures, antigen-induced thymidine uptake was inhibited at the highest concentrations (100 mg/L-1 mg/L), enhanced at 0.1 mg/L, and equal to control values at lower concentrations. Splenocytes isolated from rats exposed to K2CrO4 in drinking water exhibited enhanced responses to T- and B-lymphocyte mitogens. The addition of 0.1 mg/L of chromium to a mixed lymphocyte culture containing splenocytes taken from chromium-exposed rats increased by 5-fold the uptake of thymidine by these cells. These increased responses of cells from chromium-exposed rats may indicate chromium-induced sensitization and may possibly be used as a biological marker for chromium exposure.
Snyder
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Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
Valle
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D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002840:Chromates / Q000633:toxicity*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D002840:Chromates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C027373:potassium chromate(VI)