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[The influence of microcystin-LR on monocytes and lymphocytes of mice]
Xia-ning Huang1, Yong-lu Zhang, Xiao-yan Ye
1Institute of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health,Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, Wuhan 430030, China.
Objective:
To investigate the influence of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on monocytes and lymphocytes in blood of mice and to find a sensitive index of toxic effects.
Methods:
Specific pathogen free Kunming male mice, aging 1 month-old,were randomly divided into 5 groups by weights, 7 mice for each group. The mice in 5 groups were exposed to MC-LR through intraperitoneal injection at 0, 3.125,6.250, 12.500 and 25.000 µg/kg respectively for 7 days. Then cytokine levels in the serum were measured by radioimmunoassay, DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) was measured by the SDS/KCl precipitation technique, and the phagocytosis and ROS of leukocytes were detected by flow cytometry.
Results:
The levels of interleukin 6 in the 6.250, 12.500 and 25.000 µg·kg(-1)·d(-1) dose groups were (346.837 ± 25.536), (360.847 ± 37.886) and (434.245 ± 35.858)pg/ml respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group which the value was (232.775 ± 32.816) pg/ml (t values were -7.258, -6.760 and -10.966 respectively, P values were all < 0.05).While the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was(10.782 ± 0.966) fmol/ml in 25 µg·kg(-1)·d(-1) dose group was statistically lower than it in the control group which the value was (16.878 ± 3.378) fmol/ml (t value was 4.591, P < 0.05). The DPC levels of lymphocytes in 6.250, 12.500 µg·kg(-1)·d(-1) dose group were (242.576 ± 7.545),(241.472 ± 2.793) ng/ml,higher than it in the control group while the value was (228.657 ± 4.130) ng/ml (t value was -4.282, -6.801, P values were all <0.05). The fluorescence intensity of DCF in lymphocytes in the 4 treated groups were separately 3299.37 ± 120.54, 3281.38 ± 58.34, 3308.06 ± 136.12 and 3346.92 ± 108.69, all significantly lower than 3770.81 ± 131.39 in the control group (t values were 6.995, 9.007, 6.472 and 6.577 respectively, and P values were all <0.05). The fluorescence intensity of DCF in monocytes in the 4 treated groups (3271.51 ± 140.79, 3270.05 ± 117.92, 3326.90 ± 114.39 and 3292.49 ± 145.97 respectively) were also significantly lower than the value in the control group was 3841.72 ± 130.92 (t values were 7.847, 8.584, 7.835 and 7.411 respectively, P values were all <0.05). There was no significant difference in other index among the four experiment groups and the control group.
Conclusion:
The MC-LR administered via intraperitoneal injection to mice induced the alterations of some cytokines of monocytes and lymphocytes in blood. By comparison, the ROS of leukocyte was the most sensitive index.
Insights
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) exposure in mice altered blood monocyte and lymphocyte cytokines. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leukocytes emerged as the most sensitive indicator of MC-LR toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Immunotoxicology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a potent cyanotoxin with known adverse health effects.
- Understanding the specific impact of MC-LR on immune cells is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MC-LR on monocytes and lymphocytes in mice.
- To identify a sensitive biomarker for MC-LR toxic effects.
Main Methods:
- Kunming male mice were intraperitoneally injected with varying doses of MC-LR (0-25 µg/kg) for 7 days.
- Serum cytokine levels, DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC), and leukocyte phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- MC-LR exposure significantly increased Interleukin-6 levels and altered Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha levels.
- Lymphocyte DPC levels increased, while ROS production in both lymphocytes and monocytes significantly decreased in exposed groups.
- Other measured indices showed no significant changes.
Conclusions:
- MC-LR administration induces alterations in blood monocyte and lymphocyte cytokine profiles.
- Leukocyte ROS levels represent the most sensitive biomarker for detecting MC-LR toxic effects.
