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Title: Observations on B cells of progeny and mothers exposed to benzo(a)pyrene at midgestation

Conference · · Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5499317

Defects exist in the T cell population of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) exposed mothers and in their immunodeficient progeny, but information is needed on the behavior of their B cells. The authors are analyzing the ability of splenic B cells from BP-exposed progeny and mothers to produce ..gamma..1, ..gamma..2b, and ..gamma..3 in vitro in the presence of LPS and T cells from control- or BP-exposed mice, or supernatants (containing IL-2) from cultures of allogeneic mouse spleen cells and Con A stimulated mouse or rat cells. Combinations of T and B cells from normal, control or BP-exposed mice were cultured for 5 days and secreted isotypes assayed by ELISA using monoclonal rabbit ..cap alpha..-mouse Ig. Preliminary results are: a) a 3- to 4-fold reduction in production of ..gamma..3 by B cells from BP-exposed progeny but no change in ..gamma..1 or ..gamma..2b, b) B cells mixed with control or BP T cells showed reduction in all 3 isotypes. In cultures of T and B cells from BP-injected mothers the 3 isotypes were enhanced. In the presence of IL-2, ..gamma..1 and ..gamma..3 were diminished in B cells from BP progeny, while the mothers showed enhancement of the 3 Ig's. Thus, BP inhibits IgG production by progeny B cells in the presence or absence of growth or differentiation factors, but enhances Ig production by the mother. The data suggest disruptions in T and B cell interactions, a condition which may have severe immunologic consequences including the response against tumors.

Research Organization:
Moorehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
OSTI ID:
5499317
Report Number(s):
CONF-8604222-
Journal Information:
Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Vol. 45:3; Conference: 70. annual meeting of the Federation of American Society for Experimental Biology, St. Louis, MO, USA, 13 Apr 1986
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English