Abstract
The effects of heavy metal exposure on the immune system were determined by measuring cytokine production of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (h-PBMCs) from a healthy female. The h-PBMCs were exposed for 3 d to CdSO4, K2Cr2O7, and HgCl2 at 1, 5, 10 μM and to (CH3COO)Pb at 10, 50, and 100 μM. Concentrations of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were quantified using the ELISA method. The results showed that the cytokines assayed were differentially affected by heavy metal exposure. Chromium significantly increased the production of IL-1β while decreasing the production of IFN-γ, IL6, IL-8, and IL-10. Mercury at low concentrations increased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. At higher concentrations, an opposite effect was seen. Cytokines may function as biomarkers in elucidating the mechanisms of the immunotoxic effects of heavy metals.
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