Abstract
It has been reported that endocrine disrupters (EDs) have several biological activities, especially on endocrine systems. We studied the effect of EDs such as diethyl stilbesterol (DES), 4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol (BPA), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (EHP) and p-nonylphenol (NP) on murine spleen cells in vitro. DES, BPA, EHP and NP enhanced concanavalin A- and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferative responses of spleen cells. The activity was most effective at the concentration of 10-7M. These EDs stimulated both T cells and B cells. They also enhanced cytokine productions such as interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-γ, and the total immunoglobulin G production of spleen cells. Furthermore, these EDs enhanced cytokine productions such as tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 by macrophages. These results suggest that EDs have a modulating activity on immune responses.
