title: Effects of the Commercial Flame Retardant Mixture DE-71 on Cytokine Production by Human Immune Cells.
abstract: Although production of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is now banned, release from existing products will continue for many years. The PBDEs are assumed to be neurotoxic and toxic to endocrine organs at low concentrations. Their effect on the immune system has not been investigated thoroughly. We aimed to investigate the influence of DE-71 on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with Escherichia Coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohaemagglutinin-L (PHA-L).
  
  
  
  PBMCs isolated from healthy donors were pre-incubated with DE-71 at various concentrations and subsequently incubated with the monocyte stimulator LPS, or the T-cell activator PHA-L. Interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17A, and IL-17F were quantified in the supernatants by Luminex kits.
  
  
  
  At non-cytotoxic concentrations (0.01-10 μg/mL), DE-71 significantly enhanced secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8, IL-10, and TNF-α (p<0.001-0.019; n = 6) from LPS-stimulated PBMCs. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-17F (p = <0.001-0.043; n = 6) secretion were enhanced from PHA-L-stimulated PBMCs as well. Secretion of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL-8 and IL-6 was not significantly affected by DE-71.
  
  
  
  We demonstrate an enhancing effect of DE-71 on cytokine production by normal human PBMCs stimulated with LPS or PHA-L ex vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Endocrinology, PE 2132, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mynster Kronborg
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Endocrinology, PE 2132, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frohnert Hansen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Inflammation Research, section 7521, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Claus Henrik
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: National Food Institute, Division of Diet, Disease Prevention and Toxicology, Technical University of Denmark, Soeborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramhøj
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy, Environment and Indoor Climate, Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 København SV, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frederiksen
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vorkamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Endocrinology, PE 2132, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Feldt-Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; C100156:leukoagglutinins, plants; C086401:pentabromodiphenyl ether; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase