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Bisphenol A promotes IL-4 production by Th2 cells.
Xiaoli Tian1, Masaya Takamoto, Kazuo Sugane
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Organ Tansplants, Reconstructive Medicine and Tissue Engineering, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|December 4, 2003
Summary
Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure significantly increased interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in mice, suggesting a potential role in developing allergic diseases. This study investigated BPA
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Estrogen is known to modulate Th1/Th2 cytokine balance.
- Estrogenic chemicals' immunoregulatory roles are not well-defined.
- Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic chemical with potential immunomodulatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) on Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.
- To determine if BPA influences the balance of immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Mesenteric lymph node cells from Trichinella spiralis (Ts)-infected mice were incubated with BPA and Ts antigen.
- Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and other cytokine levels were measured using ELISA.
- In vivo studies compared cytokine production in BPA-inoculated vs. uninoculated infected mice.
Main Results:
- BPA significantly increased IL-4 production in antigen-stimulated cells from Ts-infected mice.
- BPA also enhanced IL-4 and IL-10 production in vivo in Ts-infected mice.
- Interferon-gamma production in Th1-skewed cells was not affected by BPA.
Conclusions:
- BPA treatment increased IL-4 production both in vitro and in vivo.
- This suggests BPA may contribute to allergic diseases by stimulating Th2 cell IL-4 production.