title: JP-8 jet fuel exposure rapidly induces high levels of IL-10 and PGE2 secretion and is correlated with loss of immune function.
abstract: The US Air Force has implemented the widespread use of JP-8 jet fuel in its operations, although a thorough understanding of its potential effects upon exposed personnel is unclear. Previous work has demonstrated that JP-8 exposure is immunosuppressive. In the present study, the potential mechanisms for the effects of JP-8 exposure on the immune system were investigated. Exposure of mice to JP-8 for 1 h/day resulted in immediate secretion of two immunosuppressive agents; namely, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). JP-8 exposure rapidly induced a persistently high level of serum IL-10 and PGE2 at an exposure concentration of 1000 mg/m3. IL-10 levels peaked at 2 h post-JP-8 exposure and then stabilized at significantly elevated serum levels, while PGE2 levels peaked after 2-3 days of exposure and then stabilized. Elevated IL-10 and PGE2 levels may at least partially explain the effects of JP-8 exposure on immune function. Elevated IL-10 and PGE2 levels, however, cannot explain all of the effects due to JP-8 exposure (e.g., decreased organ weights and decreased viable immune cells), as treatment with a PGE2 inhibitor did not completely reverse the immunosuppressive effects of jet fuel exposure. Thus, low concentration JP-8 jet fuel exposures have significant effects on the immune system, which can be partially explained by the secretion of immunosuppressive modulators, which are cumulative over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. davidh@u.arizona.edu
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sakiestewa
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Titone
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Witten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000068579:Celecoxib; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D023421:Models, Animal; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D006838:Hydrocarbons; C098607:JP8 aviation fuel; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013723:Teratogens; D016753:Interleukin-10; D000068579:Celecoxib; D015232:Dinoprostone