Benzo[a]pyrene aggravates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yanagisawa, Rie; Koike, Eiko; Takano, Hirohisa
• Is Part Of: Human & experimental toxicology. Volume 40(2021)Supplement 12
• Page Start: S269
• Page End: S277
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Benzo[a]pyrene -- atopic dermatitis -- TH2 response -- environmental pollutant; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1177/09603271211036123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-3271

Abstract

Background: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) affects the immune system and causes mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effects of systemic exposure to BaP on mite allergen–induced atopic dermatitis (AD)–like skin lesions in mice.Methods: Mite allergen ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dp) was injected intradermally into the right ears of NC/Nga male mice on eight occasions every 2–3 days. Benzo[a]pyrene was administered intraperitoneally in the equivalent doses of 0, 2, 20, 200, or 2000 μg/kg/day, once a week on four occasions.Results: AD-like skin inflammation related to mite allergen worsened by BaP exposure at 2, 20 µg/kg/day doses; this was in parallel with eosinophil and mast cell infiltration and mast cell degranulation. A trend was also observed toward increased proinflammatory molecule expression, including macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and IL-18, in the ear tissue. However, 200 or 2000 µg/kg/day BaP attenuated the enhancing effects. In the regional lymph nodes, 2 µg/kg/day BaP with Dp enhanced antigen-presenting cell and T cell activation compared with Dp alone.Conclusions: This suggests that BaP exposure can aggravate Dp-induced AD-like skin lesions through TH 2-biased responses in the inflamed sites and the activation of regional lymph nodes. Therefore, BaP may be responsible for the recent increase in AD incidence.