title: Extremely low-level microwaves attenuate immune imbalance induced by inhalation exposure to low-level toluene in mice.
abstract: To clarify whether extremely low-level microwaves (MW) alone or in combination with p38 inhibitor affect immune cell responses to inhalation exposure of mice to low-level toluene.
  
  
  
  The cytokine profile, heat shock proteins expression, and the activity of several signal cascades, namely, NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IRF-3, p38 MAPK, and TLR4 were measured in spleen lymphocytes of mice treated to air-delivered toluene (0.6 mg/m3) or extremely low-level microwaves (8.15-18 GHz, 1μW/cm2, 1 Hz swinging frequency) or combined action of these two factors.
  
  
  
  A single exposure to air-delivered low-level toluene induced activation of NF-κB, SAPK/JNK, IFR-3, p38 MAPK and TLR4 pathways. Furthermore, air toluene induced the expression of Hsp72 and enhanced IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in blood plasma, which is indicative of a pro-inflammatory response. Exposure to MW alone also resulted in the enhancement of the plasma cytokine values (e.g. IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and activation of the NF-κB, MAPK p38, and especially the TLR4 pathways in splenic lymphocytes. Paradoxically, pre-exposure to MW partially recovered or normalized the lymphocyte parameters in the toluene-exposed mice, while the p38 inhibitor XI additionally increased protective activity of microwaves by down regulating MAPKs (JNK and p38), IKK, as well as expression of TLR4 and Hsp90-α.
  
  
  
  The results suggest that exposure to low-intensity MW at specific conditions may recover immune parameters in mice undergoing inhalation exposure to low-level toluene via mechanisms involving cellular signaling.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Reception Mechanisms , Institute of Cell Biophysics , Pushchino , Moscow Region , Russia.
authors.forename: Elena G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Novoselova
authors.affiliation: a Department of Reception Mechanisms , Institute of Cell Biophysics , Pushchino , Moscow Region , Russia.
authors.forename: Olga V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Glushkova
authors.affiliation: a Department of Reception Mechanisms , Institute of Cell Biophysics , Pushchino , Moscow Region , Russia.
authors.forename: Maxim O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Khrenov
authors.affiliation: a Department of Reception Mechanisms , Institute of Cell Biophysics , Pushchino , Moscow Region , Russia.
authors.forename: Tatyana V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Novoselova
authors.affiliation: a Department of Reception Mechanisms , Institute of Cell Biophysics , Pushchino , Moscow Region , Russia.
authors.forename: Sergey M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lunin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Reception Mechanisms , Institute of Cell Biophysics , Pushchino , Moscow Region , Russia.
authors.forename: Eugeny E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Fesenko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004361:Drug Tolerance / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008872:Microwaves; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014050:Toluene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D014050:Toluene
keywords: Low-level microwaves; cytokines; low-level air toluene; mice; signaling pathways