Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1093/toxsci/kfi177
Title (Primary) Dose-dependent modulation of the in vitro cytokine production of human immune competent cells by lead salts
Author Hemdan, N.Y.; Emmrich, F.; Adham, K.; Wichmann, G.; Lehmann, I.; El-Massry, A.; Ghoneim, H.; Lehmann, J.; Sack, U.
Source Titel Toxicological Sciences
Year 2005
Department IMMU
Volume 86
Issue 1
Page From 75
Page To 83
Language englisch
Keywords allergy; autoimmune diseases; cytokine; immune response; lead salts; T helper cells
Abstract Lead pollution constitutes a major health problem that has been intensively debated. To reveal its effects on the immune response, the influence of lead on the in vitro cytokine production of human peripheral mononuclear blood cells was investigated. Isolated cells were exposed to lead acetate or lead chloride for 24 h in the presence of either heat-killed Salmonella enteritidis (hk-SE) or monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD3, anti-CD28, anti-CD40) as cell activators. Our results showed that while higher lead doses are toxic, lower ones evoke immunomodulatory effects. All tested lead doses significantly reduced cell vitality and/or proliferation and affected secretion of proinflammatory, T helper cell type (TH)1 and TH2 cytokines. Expression of interferon (IFN)-, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- was reduced at lower lead doses in both models of cell stimulation. Although hk-SE failed to induce detectable IL-4 levels, monoclonal antibody-induced IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 secretion increased in the presence of lower lead doses. Also, levels of hk-SE-induced IL-10 and IL-6 secretion were increased at lower lead doses. Thus, exposure to lower doses leads to suppression of the TH1 cytokine IFN- and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF- and IL-1ß. The elevated production of IL-4 and/or IL-10 can induce and maintain a TH2 immune response and might contribute to increased susceptibility to pathologic agents as well as the incidence of allergic hypersensitivity and/or TH2-dominated autoimmune diseases.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=3431
Hemdan, N.Y., Emmrich, F., Adham, K., Wichmann, G., Lehmann, I., El-Massry, A., Ghoneim, H., Lehmann, J., Sack, U. (2005):
Dose-dependent modulation of the in vitro cytokine production of human immune competent cells by lead salts
Toxicol. Sci. 86 (1), 75 - 83 10.1093/toxsci/kfi177