Pentachlorophenol reduces B lymphocyte function through proinflammatory cytokines in Carassius auratus

Cytokines and IgM levels are important parameters in the acquired immunity of fish. In the present study, the effect of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-1β (interleukin 1) mRNA levels of crucian carp, were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) method. To put the deduction of PCP’s immunotoxicity on B cell function, B cells secretion of IgM under exposure of PCP-administrated fish macrophage was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the ability of B cells to secrete IgM was determined by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). The results showed that the mRNA expressions of these two cytokines were suppressed by the administration of PCP. The supernatants from PCP-administrated fish macrophage showed less stimulation on B cell, lower maturation of B cells and secretion of IgM. These results suggested that PCP might have impact on micromilieu immune factors as proinflammatory cytokines.