Tributyltin acetate-induced immunotoxicity is related to inhibition of T cell development in the mouse thymus

[摘要] We studied the mechanism by which tributylin acetate (TBT) inhibits the development of T cells in the mouse thymus. After 7 days of oral TBT administration in mice, thymic weights were significantly decreased, and the expression of Troma-1, a thymic cortical epithelial cell marker, was also decreased in TBT-treated mice. The expression of cytokines produced by thymic epithelial cells was significantly decreased after TBT administration. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were decreased in the thymus of TBT-treated mice, whereas the percentages of CD4+CD8+ and CD4-CD8- T cells were increased. In addition, CD44-CD62L+ + naïve T cells and CD44+ effector/memory T cells in the spleen were decreased in TBT-treated mice. These results suggest that long-term exposure to TBT compromises the development of T cells in thymus and naive and effector/memory T cells in spleen, ultimately inducing defects in thymic function.

[学科分类] 分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

[关键词] Tributyltin