Dysregulation of immune responses in an allergic mouse model following low-level toluene exposure

To investigate the effect of low-level toluene inhalation on immune regulation in an allergic mouse model, C3H/HeN mice were exposed to 0, 5, 50, or 500 ppm of toluene for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 or 6 weeks. For allergic mouse model, half of the mice in each group were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA). Allergic mice exposed to toluene for 3 weeks did not exhibit any changes in their plasma, lung or spleen samples. Although exposure to toluene alone for 6 weeks did not increase the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, coexposure to 50 ppm toluene and OVA increased the number of BAL cells. Histological changes and increased amounts of fibronectin were observed in the lungs of OVA-immunized, 50-ppm-toluene-exposed mice. Exposure to 500 ppm significantly increased the expressions of transcription factors STAT3, STAT4 and STAT5a mRNAs in spleen. In spleens from the allergic mouse model, the expressions of STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT6, GATA3 and Foxp3 mRNAs were significantly enhanced following exposure to 50 ppm toluene for 6 weeks, but the expression of T-bet mRNA was not increased. Regarding the Th1/Th2 balance, the expressions of IL-4 and IL-12 mRNAs were enhanced in the spleens of toluene-exposed mice. Total IgG1 antibody production in the plasma was significantly increased in the 50-ppm-toluene-exposed allergic mouse model. These results indicate that low-level toluene exposure might dysregulate the allergic responses to OVA in C3H/HeN mice.

► Toluene is one of volatile organic compounds.
► We examine the effect of toluene on inflammatory response.
► Exposure to toluene induces histological changes in the lung.
► Toluene inhalation increases the expressions of transcription factors.