Inhibition of Interferon Gamma Production by Benzene and Benzene Metabolites

Abstract

We exposed Spleen cells from female Swiss/Webster mice to benzene and benaene metabolites to determine the effects of such exposure on interferon gamma induction by concanavalin A Exposting the cells to henzene or phenol did not affet interferon gamma production, but exposing them to p-benz oquinone, catechol, or hydroquinone significantiy inhibited interferon gamma production. cell viability, as determined by trypan blue viability standing, was not influenced by the chemical treatment, When interferon gamma production was inhibited, the inhibition was does dependent. The time of optimum Production of interferron gamma afer exposure to concanavalin A was not affected by treatment of the cells with p-benzoquinone. These data indicate the importance of dihydroxy and diketo metabolites as immunotoxic derivatives of benzene. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1988;80:1069–1072]