Phenanthrene Exposure Induces Immune Dysfunction and Metabolic Disruption in Mice

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Immunology
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are prevalent environmental pollutants.
• The immunotoxic mechanisms of PAH exposure are not well understood.
• Phenanthrene is a common PAH with potential health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanistic, effect-oriented toxicological impacts of phenanthrene exposure.
• To elucidate the immunotoxic and metabolic perturbations induced by phenanthrene in mice.
• To establish a dose-dependent relationship between phenanthrene exposure and adverse effects.

Main Methods:

• Male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to phenanthrene via intraperitoneal injection for six weeks.
• Toxicological assessment included urinary metabolite profiling, hematology, immunology, and serum metabolomics.
• Organ weights, leukocyte subpopulations, splenic T cells, cytokine production, and serum IgG were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Phenanthrene exposure led to dose-dependent increases in urinary metabolites and elevated kidney/lung weights.
• Significant reductions in splenic lymphocytes and serum IgG concentrations were observed.
• Proinflammatory cytokine-producing CD4+ T cells increased, alongside metabolic disturbances in lipids and detoxification pathway activation.

Conclusions:

• Phenanthrene exposure causes significant immune dysregulation, including lymphocyte reduction and altered T cell responses.
• Metabolic perturbations, including lipid homeostasis disruption and activated detoxification, indicate systemic toxicity.
• This study provides mechanistic insights into phenanthrene-induced immunotoxicity and metabolic dysfunction.