In Vitro Effects of Cypermethrin and Glyphosate on LPS-Induced Immune Cell Activation

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cypermethrin (Cypm) and glyphosate (Glyp) are widely used pesticides with suspected immunotoxicity.
• Previous research suggests potential risks despite low mammalian toxicity.
• Understanding pesticide effects on the immune system is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro effects of Cypm and Glyp on immune cell activation.
• To assess Cypm's impact on dendritic cell (DC) maturation.
• To evaluate potential pesticide-induced immunotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Assessed inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, IL-18) and surface marker expression (CD54, CD86, CD83, HLA-DR).
• Utilized human primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), THP-1 cells, and dendritic cells (DCs).
• Exposed cells to bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) with or without pesticide treatment.

Main Results:

• Cypermethrin (Cypm) significantly reduced LPS- and MBT-induced immune cell responses, indicating immunosuppression.
• Glyphosate (Glyp) showed no significant modulation of LPS-induced immune activation, with only a slight trend at high concentrations.
• Cypm demonstrated a direct immunosuppressive effect on immune cells and DCs.

Conclusions:

• Cypermethrin exhibits immunosuppressive properties, impacting immune cell activation and dendritic cell maturation.
• Glyphosate did not show significant immunotoxic effects in this in vitro study.
• The findings contribute to understanding pesticide-induced immunotoxicity, particularly for cypermethrin.