Expression of cytokine mRNAs in mice cutaneously exposed to formaldehyde.
In this study, we have investigated the expression of cytokine mRNAs in mice cutaneously exposed to formaldehyde using semiquantitative RT-PCR. We show that formaldehyde induced the long-lasting expression of IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNAs and the transient expression of IL-13 mRNA in mouse spleen and draining lymph nodes. The transient increases in IL-2, IL-15, IL-12p40, IL-15 and IL-18 mRNAs, but long-lasting IL-15 mRNA were only seen in the formaldehyde-exposed mouse spleen. Moreover, a weak contact hypersensitivity (CH) and the significant increases in IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNAs were detected in the ear skin of formaldehyde-cutaneously exposed mice when rechallenged mouse ears. Furthermore, CH as measured by mouse ear swelling response was positively correlated with IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNA levels in the challenged ears. This study thus suggests that the induction of Th1 and Th2 cytokine mRNAs, particularly IL-4 and IFN-gamma, are a common immunological feature caused by contact allergens irrespective of strong or weak contact allergens. The analysis of IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNAs may be useful markers in establishing the novel test for predicting chemical sensitizing potentials.
Xu
Baohui
B
Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan. xubohui@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
Aoyama
Kohji
K
Takeuchi
Minoru
M
Matsushita
Toshio
T
Takeuchi
Toru
T
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006241:Haptens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000235:genetics; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000235:genetics; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D006241:Haptens; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; D018793:Interleukin-13; D019409:Interleukin-15; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007376:Interleukin-2; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018664:Interleukin-12; D005557:Formaldehyde; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma