The relationship between inhalation of nitrogen dioxide, the immune system, and progression of a spontaneously occurring lymphoma in AKR mice.

The effects of exposure to an ambient level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on the development and progression of the spontaneous T-cell lymphoma in AKR/cum mice are evaluated. The animals were exposed to 0.25 ppm +/- 0.05 ppm NO2 for 7 hr/day, 5 days/week for up to 181 days. Following exposure periods of 37, 71, 111, 141, and 181 days, the extent of lymphoma was determined microscopically in histologic sections of the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, lung, and liver. In addition, T-lymphocyte subpopulations were quantitated by flow cytometry. The results indicate that the development and progression of lymphoma in mice was influenced by intermittent inhalation of NO2. The lymphoma was detectable earlier in control animals and the survival of the NO2-exposed group was significantly higher. The T-lymphocyte subpopulations were significantly lower in NO2-exposed animals following 37 and 181 days of NO2 exposure. The T-helper/inducer (CD4+) lymphocytes were adversely affected to the greatest extent, explaining in part the more aggressive behavior of the lymphoma in the control animals. Most importantly, these studies provide additional evidence that in vivo exposure to a level of NO2 commonly encountered in polluted metropolitan areas adversely affects cells of the immune system. In the case of the AKR mouse, the adverse effect of NO2 on CD4+ cells manifested itself by retarding development and progression of the spontaneous lymphoma. Our data suggest that this neoplasm may be dependent on growth factors such as interleukin 2, produced by CD4+ lymphocytes in the early stages.