Effects of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) on immune response in rodents

Studies were performed to investigate the effects of FireMaster FF-1, a chemical fire retardant consisting of a mixture of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), on immune functions in mice and rats. Animals received 22 daily treatments of 0.03, 0.3, 3.0, or 30 mg PBB/kg body weight in a period covering 30 days. PBB exposure severely depressed cell mediated immunity in both mice and rats at the higher dosage levels as indicated by depressed responsiveness of splenic lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulation by polyclonal T-cell activators. Additionally, humoral immunity was depressed in mice at the 30.0 ppm dosage level. Assays for humoral immune functions included antibody production, serum immunoglobulin levels, and mitogenic stimulation of splenic lymphocytes to a polyclonal B-cell activator. These studies indicate that PBB exposure can lead to suppression of both humoral and particularly cell-mediated immune responses.