Decreased production of IL-1 and IL-2 by avian mononuclear cells on in vitro exposure of butachlor

In recent years, a great deal of information has been gathered to show that environmental pollutants modulate the immune system. However, the effect of Pesticides on cytokine production has not received much attention. In vitro effects of herbicide butachlor on the production of IL-1 and IL-2 was studied in avian splenic mononuclear cells. The cells were treated with NOEL (No Observable Effect Level)/10² to NOEL/10⁷ dilutions of butachlor for 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 hr and allowed to culture for 72 hrs in RPMI-1640 media supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum. At the end the culture fluid was collected and tested for IL-1 and IL-2 using monoclonal markers and ELISA. The mean ELISA value of pesticide treated cells showed the significantly decreased production of IL-1 and IL-2 in comparison to controls. It was concluded that in vitro exposure of butachlor reduces the IL-1 and IL-2 production.