Immunotoxicity of bisphenol A to Carassius auratus lymphocytes and macrophages following in vitro exposure

Bisphenol A (BPA) is the monomer component of polycarbonate plastics and classified as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). The reproductive toxicity of BPA has been extensively studied in mammals; however, relatively little information is available on the immunotoxic responses of fish to BPA. In this study, we investigated the effects of BPA on the immune functions of lymphocytes and macrophages in Carassius auratus. The effects of BPA were compared with those of two natural steroid hormones, estradiol and hydrocortisone. Proliferation of the two types of cells in response to PHA was measured using colorimetric MTT assay. Macrophage respiratory burst stimulated by Con A was measured using chemiluminescence assay. Results showed that BPA (0.054–5.4 mg/L), estradiol (0.0002–2.0 mg/L) and hydrocortisone (5–50 mg/L) significantly induced Carassius auratus lymphocyte proliferation while higher doses of hydrocortisone (500–5000 mg/L) appeared to be inhibitory. BPA (0.005–50 mg/L), estradiol (0.005–800 mg/L) and hydrocortisone (0.005–500 mg/L) markedly enhanced macrophage proliferation, whereas higher doses of BPA (500–1000 mg/L) appeared to inhibit cell proliferation. Furthermore, higher dosage of BPA (50 mg/L) and hydrocortisone (50 and 500 mg/L) suppressed the macrophages respiratory burst while estradiol is stimulative all the doses tested (0.05–500 mg/L). In conclusion, BPA could have immunotoxicity to Carassius auratus and functional changes of lymphocyte and macrophage in Carassius auratus may be different between low and high dosages.