Gene expression of heat shock protein 70, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α as tools to identify immunotoxic effects on Xenopus laevis: a dose-response study with benzo[a]pyrene and its degradation products.
The exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) results in an alteration of immune function in mammals and fish, and the analysis of cytokine mRNA levels has been suggested for predicting the immunomodulatory potential of chemicals. To obtain evidence of the innate immune responses to B[a]P in Xenopus laevis, the present study monitored the mRNA expression of interleukin 1-β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in a laboratorial exposure. Tadpoles exposed to 8.36, 14.64, 89.06 and 309.47 μg/L of B[a]P,were used for detecting hsp70, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA induction. A dose-response increase in the expression of hsp70 and IL-1β mRNA was found. The results of this study confirmed the use of hsp70 and IL-1β, but not TNF-α, as sensitive indicators of immunotoxic effect of B[a]P in X. laevis. Further research would be required for the validation of these endpoints.
Laboratory for Ecotoxicology, Department of Environment, Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Carretera de la Coruña, Km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain. martini@inia.es
Federica
F
Martini
Carlos
C
Fernández
José V
JV
Tarazona
M Victoria
MV
Pablos
D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene