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Tributyltin (TBT) increases TNFα mRNA expression and induces apoptosis in the murine macrophage cell line in vitro

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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine Aims and scope

Abstract

Objective

Tributyltin (TBT) compounds have been widely used as antifouling agents for shipbottom paint. The immune system is a target of TBT intoxication. We evaluated the effects of TBT chloride in macrophages, which have critical roles in the immune system, using a murine macrophage lineage cell line, J774.1,in vitro.

Methods

We examined tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) andc-jun mRNA expression in J774.1 cells. The effects of TBT on the apoptosis of J774.1 cells were examined by determining the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 activity.

Results

The mean values of the viabilities of J774.1 cells exposed to TBT decreased dose-dependently. The relative mRNA expression of TNFα increased dose-dependently, however, that of IL-1β was not significantly different among the groups. The mean percentage of TUNEL-positive cells increased dose-dependently. Increases in the caspase-3 activities of J774.1 cells were observed in the groups exposed to higher concentrations of TBT. The mean value of relative mRNA expression of c-Jun transcription factor increased dose-dependently.

Conclusions

The increases in the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells and in caspase-3 activity suggested that exposure to TBT induces apoptosis of J774.1 cells. The increases in the mRNA expression of TNFα andc-jun by TBT may be related to apoptosis in macrophages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fukushima Prefecture Ken-poku Public Health and Welfare Office, Fukushima, Japan

    Ken Nakano

  2. Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan

    Ken Nakano & Masashi Tsunoda

  3. Fukushima Institute for Public Health, Fukushima, Japan

    Ken Nakano

  4. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kitasato 1-15-1, 228-8555, Sagamihara, Sagamihara, Japan

    Masashi Tsunoda

  5. Department of Home Economics, Koriyama Women’s University and College, Koriyama, Japan

    Nobuhiro Konno

Authors
  1. Ken Nakano
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  2. Masashi Tsunoda
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  3. Nobuhiro Konno
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Correspondence to Masashi Tsunoda.

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Nakano, K., Tsunoda, M. & Konno, N. Tributyltin (TBT) increases TNFα mRNA expression and induces apoptosis in the murine macrophage cell line in vitro. Environ Health Prev Med 9, 266–271 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898141

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898141

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