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Thymocytes are activated by toluene inhalation through the transcription factors NF‐ κ B, STAT5 and NF‐AT
Author(s) -
Liu Jiqin,
Yoshida Yasuhiro,
Kunugita Naoki,
Noguchi Junko,
Sugiura Tsutomu,
Ding Ning,
Arashidani Keiichi,
Fujimaki Hidekazu,
Yamashita Uki
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.1536
Subject(s) - toluene , inhalation , immune system , nf κb , transcription factor , chemistry , stat5 , immunology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , inflammation , biochemistry , anatomy , gene , organic chemistry
Toluene has been extensively examined for effects on the central nervous system. To investigate the influence of low‐level inhalation of toluene on the naive immune cells, male C3H/HeN mice were exposed to filtered air (control) and 50 ppm of toluene for 3 weeks. Low‐level exposure resulted in (1) increased proliferation of thymocytes, (2) IL‐2 production induced in thymocytes and (3) activation of the transcription factors NF‐ κ B, STAT5 and NF‐AT in thymocytes. These results suggest that thymocytes are sensitive cells and T cell activators are candidates for biomarkers for low‐level exposure to toluene on naive immune cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.