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[Impact of PBDE-209 exposure during pregnancy and lactation on immune function of offspring rats]
Jun Zhou1, Dun-jin Chen, Qin-ping Liao
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. ice.zj001@163.com
Insights
Exposure to deca-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) during pregnancy and lactation negatively impacts offspring rat immune function, affecting T lymphocyte subsets and IgM levels.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Immunology
- Developmental toxicology
Context:
- Deca-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) is a persistent environmental pollutant.
- Prenatal and early-life exposures are critical windows for immune system development.
- Understanding PBDE-209's impact on offspring immunity is crucial for public health.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the immunotoxic potential of environmental deca-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) exposure on developing rats.
- To investigate the effects of maternal PBDE-209 exposure on offspring immune organ development, T lymphocyte subsets, NK cell markers, and immunoglobulin levels.
Summary:
- Parental Wistar rats exposed to PBDE-209 during gestation and lactation showed significant alterations in offspring immune organ weights.
- Exposure led to decreased percentages of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD8+), NK cell markers (CD161), and a reduced CD4+/CD8+ ratio.
- Offspring exhibited significantly lower IgM levels, while IgG levels and T lymphocyte proliferation remained unaffected compared to controls.
Impact:
- Maternal exposure to high-dose PBDE-209 during critical developmental periods adversely affects offspring immune system maturation.
- Findings highlight potential risks of environmental PBDE-209 contamination to immune health in early life.
- This research underscores the need for monitoring and regulating PBDE-209 to protect vulnerable populations.
Objective:
To assess the potential hazard of environmental deca-brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) exposure to the immune function of the offspring rats.
Methods:
The parental Wistar rats were exposed to PBDE-209 administered intragastrically during pregnancy and lactation, and the development of the immune organs and changes in T lymphocyte subset and their proliferation, NK cell surface markers CD161 and serum immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) were observed.
Results:
Significant differences in the weight of the immune organs were noted between the exposure group and control group. In the exposure group, the percentage of T lymphocyte subset CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)CD8(+), the percentage of NK cell surface markers CD16 1 and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio were lowered, while the percentage of CD4(-)CD8(-) cells increased. T lymphocyte subset proliferation in the exposure group did not show obviously changes, but compared with the control group, the IgM level in the exposure group was significantly lowered. No significant differences were observed in IgG levels between the exposure and control groups.
Conclusion:
Continuous exposure to high-dose PBDE-209 in female rats during pregnancy and lactation results in possible adverse effect on the immune function of the offspring rats.
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