title: Alterations in splenocyte protein kinase C (PKC) activity by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in vivo.
abstract: The effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on growth factor-coupled activation of nuclear protein kinase C (nPKC) and on the subcellular distribution of PKC activity in rat splenocytes were investigated. Seven days after a single injection of TCDD (50 micrograms/kg body weight), cytosolic and particulate PKC activity was significantly higher in splenocytes from TCDD-treated rats or pair-fed control rats compared to ad libitum-fed animals. In a separate experiment, purified splenocyte nuclei from TCDD-treated animals and controls were used to study activation of nPKC by growth factors and other trophic agents. Growth factor-stimulated nPKC activation was attenuated in splenic nuclei from TCDD-treated rats compared to vehicle-treated controls. Evidence presented here suggests that the cellular mechanism of TCDD toxicity leading to immunosuppression in rodents may be mediated in part by uncoupling of growth factor receptors linked to PKC activation at the level of the nucleus. However, changes in total splenocyte PKC activity appear to be correlated with hypophagia since cytosolic and particulate PKC levels were elevated in TCDD-treated rats and their pair-fed partners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33606, USA.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Zorn
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sauro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D011493:Protein Kinase C