title: Suppression of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in vitro by benzo(a)pyrene.
abstract: The effect of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) at different molar (M) concentrations on the in vitro anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) plaque (antibody) forming cell (PFC) response and the one-way mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) was tested. Inhibition of the PFC response and the MLR occurred when spleen cells were exposed to a wide range of BaP concentrations from 10(-4) M to 10(-8) M. Maximum depression of the responses occurred at 10(-5) M for PFC production (47% of controls) and for the MLR (19% of controls) as measured by a stimulation index. No significant loss in cell viability was observed at this or lower molar concentrations of BaP. The non-carcinogenic analog of BaP, benzo(e)pyrene, did not suppress PFC responses at comparable concentrations. This in vitro system will facilitate manipulations of T and B lymphocytes and macrophages (adherent cells) in a controlled culture environment for precisely characterizing the sensitivity of these cells and their subpopulations on exposure to BaP.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene