Cytokines production is altered in mice exposed to airborne suspended matter

The production of IL-2 and IL-4 by thymocytes, spleen and axillary lymph node lymphocytes from female and male mice exposed to airborne suspended matter (ASM) was the scope of our investigations. Cytokines production by activated lymphocytes was determined by the estimation of the percentage of cells positive for intracellular cytokines and by the concentration of both cytokines secreted into the culture medium. Two models of mice exposure to ASM were used: 1/ intraperitoneal injection (acute exposure), and 2/ oral exposure (subacute model). ASM exposure affected both IL-2 and IL-4 production and IL-2R alpha expression on activated lymphoid cells isolated from different lymphoid organs of both female and male mice. The effect was dependent on the route and duration of exposure, ASM dose and the age and sex of mice. A wide panel of changes is discussed. The prolonged exposure to ASM resulted in overproduction of IL-2 in both female and male mice and in overproduction of IL-4 in male mice. Acute exposure to ASM strongly affected IL-2 and IL-4 production, and the effect varied among lymphocytes from different lymphoid organs. Intracellular cytokines expression and the level of secreted cytokines seem to be good tools for the assessment of toxic effects of environmental pollution on the function of the immune system.