We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of endocrine disruptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro: role of gender
Summary
Researchers tested six endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including phthalates and PFAS compounds, on human immune cells in the laboratory and found that they altered immune function with notable differences between males and females. Diethyl phthalate and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid were the most active disruptors, affecting inflammation markers, natural killer cell activity, and lymphocyte differentiation. The study suggests that common environmental contaminants can directly interfere with human immune responses in a sex-dependent manner.
Humans can be exposed to endocrine disruptors (EDs) in numerous ways. EDs can interfere with endogenous hormones at different levels, resulting in numerous adverse human health outcomes, including immunotoxicity. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate in vitro the possible effects of EDs on immune cells and possible gender differences. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy humans, both males and females, were exposed to 6 different EDs, namely atrazine (herbicide), cypermethrin (insecticide), diethyl phthalate (plasticizer), 17α-ethynylestradiol (contraceptive drug), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (persistent organic pollutant), and vinclozolin (fungicide). We evaluated the effect of EDs on RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase 1) expression, considering it as a bridge between the endocrine and the immune system, and putatively used as screening tool of immunotoxic effects of EDs. The exposure to EDs resulted at different extent in alteration in RACK1 expression, pro-inflammatory activity, natural killer lytic ability, and lymphocyte differentiation, with sex-related differences. In particular, diethyl phthalate and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid resulted the most active EDs tested, with gender differences in terms of effects and magnitude. The results from our study evidenced the ability of EDs to directly affect immune cells.