Thymocytes are activated by toluene inhalation through the transcription factors NF-κB, STAT5 and NF-AT.
Toluene has been extensively examined for effects on the central nervous system. To investigate the influence of low-level inhalation of toluene on the naive immune cells, male C3H/HeN mice were exposed to filtered air (control) and 50 ppm of toluene for 3 weeks. Low-level exposure resulted in (1) increased proliferation of thymocytes, (2) IL-2 production induced in thymocytes and (3) activation of the transcription factors NF-κB, STAT5 and NF-AT in thymocytes. These results suggest that thymocytes are sensitive cells and T cell activators are candidates for biomarkers for low-level exposure to toluene on naive immune cells.
Liu
Jiqin
J
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
Yoshida
Yasuhiro
Y
Kunugita
Naoki
N
Noguchi
Junko
J
Sugiura
Tsutomu
T
Ding
Ning
N
Arashidani
Keiichi
K
Fujimaki
Hidekazu
H
Yamashita
Uki
U
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014050:Toluene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D016328:NF-kappa B; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor; D014050:Toluene