The determination of draining lymph node cell cytokine mRNA levels in BALB/c mice following dermal sodium lauryl sulfate, dinitrofluorobenzene, and toluene diisocyanate exposure

Differential modulation has been demonstrated in interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-1 0, and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNA and protein secretion patterns of cells isolated from the draining lymph nodes of mice following exposure to T cell and respiratory sensitizers. Using a multiprobe ribonuclease protect ion assay, the following investigation examined the mRNA expression pattern s of multiple cytokines associated with respiratory sensitization for modul ation following exposure to chemicals known primarily to induce irritation (sodium lauryl sulfate), respiratory sensitization (toluene diisocyanate), or T cell-mediated hypersensitivity (dinitrofluorobenzene) responses. On da ys 0 and +5 female BALB/c mice were exposed to either test article or vehic le on the shaven dorsal lumbar region; on days +10 through +12 the mice rec eived test article on the dorsal aspect of each ear. On day +13 animals wer e euthanized, draining lymph nodes were excised, and mRNA was isolated imme diately or following 24 or 48 h of culture in the presence or absence of co ncanavalin (Con) A. Differential expression of cytokine mRNA was most notab le following 24 h incubation with Con A. Modulation of IL-4, -10, and IFN-g amma following chemical exposure was consistent with previous studies. In a ddition, IL-9, -13, and -15 were significantly elevated only following tolu ene diisocyanate exposure. Further investigations of these cytokines may pr ovide additional insight into the mechanisms of chemically induced respirat ory sensitization and provide endpoints for the detection of a chemical's a bility to elicit IgE-mediated hypersensitivity responses. (C) 2001 Academic Press.