Use of staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced interleukin 2 production as an indicator of immunotoxicity

Abstract

An in vitro assay measuring IL-2 production as an index of compromised immune function was developed using primary splenocytes from female C57BL/6 mice pretreated with olive oil, 30 mg/kg Cyclosporin A, or 220-880 mg/kg benzene. Splenocytes were mitogen-stimulated to produce IL-2 with SEA, Con A or PHA. Benzene induced inhibition of IL-2 production was demonstrated by incubating the splenocyte culture supernatant fraction with an IL-2 dependent T-lymphocytic cell line. Cell proliferation was measured by blastogenesis and MTT reduction as an index of IL-2 mediated response. Benzene and cyclosporin dosed animals demonstrated a significant decrease in splenocyte proliferation. However, cell proliferation in IL-2 dependent cells was inhibited only with the higher doses of benzene indicative of a dose dependent IL- 2 mediated suppression. Chemically induced impairment of IL-2 mediated immune function may be detected with this assay.