Can T-cell deficiency affect spatial learning ability following toluene exposure?
OBJECTIVE
The present studywas designed to investigate the possible role of T cells in spatial learning ability in mouse after toluene exposure.


METHODS
Eight-week-old male wild-type (WT) and nude mice of BALB/c strain were exposed to toluene (0, 9 and 90 ppm) in a nose-only exposure chamber for 30 min per day for 3 consecutive days and then once per week for 4 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the completion of exposure, we examined the spatial learning ability in each mouse using the Morris water maze apparatus.


RESULTS
In the acquisition phase, a longer escape latency was observed in nude mice exposed to 90 ppm toluene on days 3 and 4 when compared with corresponding WT mice. However, the effect of toluene on the escape latency was not significant in nude mice. In the probe trial, WT mice exposed to 90 ppm toluene showed poor retention memory compared with the control group. In the reversal phase, we did not find any significant difference between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that T-cell deficiency may affect spatial learning performance following toluene exposure.
Win-Shwe
Tin-Tin
TT
Research Center for Environmental Risk, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan. tin.tin.win.shwe @ nies.go.jp
Nakajima
Daisuke
D
Fujimaki
Hidekazu
H
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D017628:Microglia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014050:Toluene / Q000633:toxicity*
D009498:Neurotoxins; D012997:Solvents; D014050:Toluene