title: An experimental model for the determination of immunomodulating effects by volatile compounds.
abstract: An in vitro exposure system was developed to enable simultaneous exposure of primary cells or cell lines to defined concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC) without the necessity of a constant-flow exposure system. Toluene was used as model VOC and administered via the gas phase. CD3/CD28-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used as indicator cells. Vitality/proliferation of PBMC was tested using the MTT assay and their functional reactivity using cytokine ELISA for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Chemical analysis using headspace gas chromatography confirmed that this new method guaranties reproducible VOC exposure (R2 = 0.995 for the correlation between external toluene concentration and toluene in the cell culture). While cytotoxic effects were not observed, dose-dependent toluene effects on functional reactivity of PBMC were found. The secretion of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-13 was inhibited at concentrations of 72.5 g/m3 and above, whereas the TNF-alpha production was increased. Since the presented in vitro model ensures toluene exposure in concentrations comparable to the real situation, and allows the investigation of dose-dependent immunomodulatory toluene effects in concentrations without cytotoxicity, this method first described here is introduced as useful tool in analysis of VOC-triggered effects on immune cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Immunology, UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle Ltd., Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. gunnar.wichmann@ufz.de
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wichmann
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mühlenberg
authors.forename: Gundula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fischäder
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kulla
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rehwagen
authors.forename: Olf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Herbarth
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lehmann
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014050:Toluene / Q000633:toxicity*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D014050:Toluene