Lack of antagonism to Ni2+ and Co2+ contact allergy from other essential divalent metal ions.
The potential antagonistic effects of Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ on contact allergy to Co2+ and Ni2+ were studied. The immune response was characterized by the Co2+ or Ni2+ mediated cellular [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from 6 subjects contact-allergic to Co2+ and Ni2+ and 6 non-allergic control individuals. Results from the in vitro experiments were further evaluated with Co2+-sensitized guinea pigs according to the modified Freund's complete adjuvant test. Ni2+ and Co2+ (10-50 microM) significantly increased the lymphocyte proliferation in PBMC cultures from contact-allergic subjects in comparison with those from control individuals. Pretreatment of the PBMCs with Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+ (10-100 microM) or Mn2+ (1-10 microM) did not influence, while Zn2+ (100 microM) enhanced, and Cu2+ (5 and 10 microM) markedly reduced the Ni2+ and Co2+ mediated cellular [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake. The inhibition of the Ni2+- and Co2+-induced cell proliferation by Cu2+ in vitro was probably related to toxicity, since the viability of the cells was significantly reduced by applied combinations of Ni2+ or Co2+ with Cu2+. Topical pretreatment of Co2+-sensitized guinea pigs with maximum non-irritating doses of CuCl2 x 2H2O (0.8%) did not affect the challenge testing to CoCl2 x 6H2O (0.1 and 0.3%). In conclusion, our combined in vitro and in vivo results indicate that Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ are not able to antagonise the formation of Ni2+ and Co2+ antigens.
Department of Occupational Medicine, National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden.
L T
LT
van den Broeke
J L
JL
Nilsson
A
A
Scheynius
J E
JE
Wahlberg
A T
AT
Karlberg
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology
D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals; D003035:Cobalt; D009532:Nickel