Effect of endocrine disrupters on thymocytes in vitro.
In a previous paper we reported that endocrine disrupters (EDs) such as 4, 4'-isopropylidene diphenol (Bisphenol A: BPA), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (EHP) stimulated proliferative responses and cytokine productions of murine spleen cells in vitro. In this paper we report our studies on the effect of EDs on murine thymocytes in vitro. EDs such as BPA, EHP and diethyl stilbesterol enhanced the proliferative responses of thymocytes. The proliferative responses of in vitro precultured thymocytes with EDs were markedly enhanced by the secondary stimulation with syngeneic spleen cells as antigen-presenting cells (syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction; MLR), when compared with thymocytes precultured without EDs. The responder cells were T cells, and they recognized the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens on the antigen-presenting cells. The precultured T cells with EDs were enhanced in the production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-3, IL-4 and interferon-gamma. These results suggest that EDs have a modulating activity on thymocyte functions.
Yamashita
Uki
U
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
Sugiura
Tsutomu
T
Yoshida
Yasuhiro
Y
Kuroda
Etsushi
E
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D051379:Mice; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D016207:Cytokines; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds