Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Dysregulation of Cellular Immune Functions on Gastric Administration to Mixtures of Polyethlene Microplastics and Metallic Lead in Mice

폴리에틸렌 미세플라스틱과 납의 복합노출에 따른 실험동물의 세포면역기능 조절 장애 평가

  • Gyoungwoo Lee (Department of Toxicity Assessment, Graduate School of Medical and Health Industry, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Changyul Kim (Department of Toxicity Assessment, Graduate School of Medical and Health Industry, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 이경우 (대구가톨릭대학교 의료보건산업대학원 화학물질독성평가학과) ;
  • 김창열 (대구가톨릭대학교 의료보건산업대학원 화학물질독성평가학과)
  • Received : 2023.02.07
  • Accepted : 2023.02.15
  • Published : 2023.02.28
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Abstract

Background: The existing research results on the combined toxicity of these pollutants using mammals, such as rodents, are insufficient, especially in relation to changes in the immune system. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the cellular immune response to PE-MPs solely or when combined with Pb, which possess excellent adsorption capacity with PE-MPs and is commonly co-exposed in our daily lives. Methods: The study investigated the cellular immune function of 9-week ICR mice with 28 days exposure to PE-MPs (2 mg/mouse/day) and Pb (0.1 mM in distilled water) individually and in combination. PE-MPs were administered via gastric intubation while the lead intake was conducted via the oral drinking water route. Cellular immunity was evaluated by analyzing the production for TH1 cytokines namely, TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 and TH2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-6 in culture supernatants from polyclonally activated splenic mononuclear cells ex vivo. Results: Both the PE-MPs only and the PE-MPs+Pb exposure group revealed an increased TH1 response with elevated TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 levels and downregulated TH2 response with low IL-4, and IL-6 production levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an increased IFN-𝛾/IL-4 ratio was found in the PE-MPs only and PE-MPs+Pb exposure groups, which indicated the skewedness to TH1 response. Meanwhile, reduced blood hemoglobin levels and increased levels of IL-4, the dominant TH2 cytokine in the Pb-only exposure group, were observed. Conclusions: Our current findings on the predominance of TH1 immune response in the PE-MPs and PE-MPs+Pb groups suggest that PE-MPs could be responsible for the predominant induction of the cellular immune changes. This finding could be used as an important landmark in research related to TH1 predominance, such as autoimmune diseases. It suggests that additional research on immune modulation using longer exposure durations or the same exposure route is required to elucidate stronger findings.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 한국화학물질관리협회 화학물질 안전관리 전문 인력 양성 사업의 지원을 받아 수행되었음.

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