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.
Harper
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N
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology Texas A & M University, College Station 77843-4466.
Connor
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K
Steinberg
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Safe
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S
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching / Q000187:drug effects*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000097:blood*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000819:agonists; D012756:Sheep
D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; C048761:trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls