Effects of benzo(a)pyrene on cell immune activity and HSP70 of human lymphocytes in vitro

Human lymphocytes(721.221)were treated with benzo(a)pyrene[B(a)P]at different doses(0.125,0.250,0.500,1.000,2.000,4.000,8.000,16.000μmol/L)for 16hto study the cell viability,imroune activity and HSP70expression in vitro.Cells at exponential growth phase in vitro planted in 96wells microplates were treated by low doses of 0.125-1.000μmol/L and high doses of 2.000-16.000μmol/L B(a)P for 16hrespectively.MTT assay was used to evaluate the effects of B(a)P on cell viability of cells,and the supernatants were collected and analyzed by Elisa to quantify the release of IL-1α,IL-6and IFN-α from the cells,Western blot was used to measure the expression of HSP70.The proliferation of cells were increased at the concentrations of 0.125-1.000μmol/L(P0.05).The proliferation reached to the highest point at the concentration of 1.000μmol/L.It was enhanced by fifty-five percent compared with the solvent control group.Compared with the negative control,B(a)P at doses of 2.000-16.000μmol/L for 16hon cell viability was significantly inhibited(P0.05).IFN-αsecretion was first increased and then a downward trend with B(a)P increased.The secretion reached to the highest point at the concentration of 1.000μmol/L,then lowered.IL-1αand IL-6secretion reduced with B(a)P increasing,compared with the control group was statistically significant(P0.05)in a dose-effect relationship.HSP70expression increased B(a)P increased extend in 0.125-1.000μmol/L groups and then a downward trend with B(a)P increased.Effects of B(a)P on cell viability,immune activity and HSP70 were significantly dependent on the doses.Providing the experimental basis for future assessments of population exposure to B(a)P on the immune system toxicity and emergency response system.