p,p′-DDE, a DDT metabolite, induces proinflammatory molecules in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells “in vitro”

In a recent study, our group demonstrated that when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated “in vitro” with p,p′-DDE, a DDT metabolite, an antioxidant response and biomarkers of inflammation were induced at the mRNA level, indicating a proinflammatory state. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the induction of proinflammatory molecules at the protein level in PBMCs exposed to p,p′-DDE “in vitro”. The main finding was that “in vitro” exposure to p,p′-DDE enhanced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) at the protein level in PBMCs. We also observed COX-2 induction at the protein level. Considering that p,p′-DDE has been identified as a persistent metabolite and is frequently found in the population, it is important to evaluate early inflammation biomarkers in populations exposed to DDT and to estimate the true risk of inflammatory disease development.