Effect of endocrine disrupters on immune responses in vitro.

It has been reported that endocrine disrupters (EDs) have several biological activities, especially on endocrine systems. We studied the effect of EDs such as diethyl stilbesterol (DES), 4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol (BPA), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (EHP) and p-nonylphenol (NP) on murine spleen cells in vitro. DES, BPA, EHP and NP enhanced concanavalin A- and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferative responses of spleen cells. The activity was most effective at the concentration of 10(-7) M. These EDs stimulated both T cells and B cells. They also enhanced cytokine productions such as interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-gamma, and the total immunoglobulin G production of spleen cells. Furthermore, these EDs enhanced cytokine productions such as tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 by macrophages. These results suggest that EDs have a modulating activity on immune responses.