Nonylphenol-induced thymocyte apoptosis is related to Fas/FasL pathway.
Nonylphenol (NP) is the final biodegradation product of nonylphenol polyethoxylates, which are widely used as surfactants in domestic and industrial products. NP has been reported to have estrogenic activity and shown to have potential reproductive toxicity. However, its influence on immune system function remains unclear. In this study, to determine the immunological effects of NP, the effects of NP on apoptosis and Fas/FasL gene expression in rat thymocyte in vitro were investigated. Thymocytes were treated with NP 0.1, 1, and 10 ppm, respectively. Viable cell numbers were determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were identified by DNA fragment analysis. A semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method was used to analyze Fas and FasL mRNA levels. Fas and FasL protein expression was evaluated by flow cytometry. The results showed that NP decreased the cellularity; induced apoptotic death and enhanced the expression of Fas and FasL mRNA as well as proteins in thymocytes. These findings suggest that NP may induce apoptosis by altering the expression of Fas and FasL in thymocytes so as to affect the immune system function.
Yao
Genhong
G
Immunology and Reproductive Biology Lab, Medical School & State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China.
Hu
Yali
Y
Liang
Junfeng
J
Hou
Yayi
Y
D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C505662:Faslg protein, rat; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D010636:Phenols; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D019014:fas Receptor; C025256:nonylphenol