Exposure of alveolar macrophages to polybrominated diphenyl ethers suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory products in vitro
Abstract
Inhalation of chemical pollutants has been associated with a reduced immune response in humans. Inhalation of dust is a major route of exposure for one endocrine-disrupting chemical and suspected xenoestrogen, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); however, the impact of PBDEs on immune function is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the action of PBDEs on cytokine and eicosanoid release by alveolar macrophages and determine whether the effects are mediated via the estrogen receptor. The production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 beta IL-10 and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) by porcine alveolar macrophages exposed to different concentrations of the pentabrominated diphenyl ether mixture, DE-71, were measured; cells were also exposed to varying concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol and the selective estrogen receptor-modulating agent, tamoxifen. Cells exposed to PBDEs released significantly less pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) and PGE(2) compared with controls; IL-1 beta and IL-10 were not detected in the culture medium. Cells exposed to 17 beta-estradiol released significantly less TNF-alpha compared with controls, an effect that was reversed by the addition of tamoxifen; tamoxifen had no effect on the inhibition of TNF-alpha release by PBDEs. Although the suppression of TNF-alpha with DE-71 was similar to that of estrogen, the inhibitory effects of DE-71 were not found to be dependent on the estrogen receptor. Findings of this study suggest that chronic exposure to PBDEs suppressed innate immunity in vitro. Whether the immunosuppressant effects of PBDEs occur in vivo, remains to be determined.
Publication Date
4-1-2012
Journal Title
Experimental biology and medicine
Publisher
Sage Publications
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1258/ebm.2011.011202
Scientific Contribution Number
2434
Document Type
Article
Rights
Copyright © 2012 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
Recommended Citation
Hennigar, Stephen R.; Myers, Jay L.; and Tagliaferro, Anthony R., "Exposure of alveolar macrophages to polybrominated diphenyl ethers suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory products in vitro" (2012). Experimental biology and medicine. 40.
https://scholars.unh.edu/nhaes/40