Functional disorder of primary immunity responding to respiratory syncytial virus infection in offspring mice exposed to a flame retardant, decabrominated diphenyl ether, perinatally.

Perinatal exposure to a representative flame retardant, decabrominated diphenyl ether (DBDE), was shown previously to increase viral titers in the lungs of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected offspring on day 5 post-infection, resulting in exacerbation of pneumonia. In this study, the significant increase of pulmonary viral titers was confirmed even on day 1 post-infection and the effect on the primary immune response to RSV infection were examined to assess a mode of DBDE action on developmental immunotoxicity. On day 1 after infection, the secretion of both TNF-alpha and IL-6 decreased significantly in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid prepared from RSV-infected offspring exposed to DBDE perinatally, but IL-1beta increased.

Effects of tetrabromobisphenol A, a brominated flame retardant, on the immune response to respiratory syncytial virus infection in mice.

Effects of the brominated flame retardants (BFRs), decabrominated diphenyl ether (DBDE), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), on host immunity of mice were evaluated using respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Five-week-old female mice were fed a diet containing 1% BFRs for 28days, and subsequently infected with RSV. No toxicological sign was observed in BFR-treated mice before infection.

Effects of decabrominated diphenyl ether (DBDE) on developmental immunotoxicity in offspring mice.

Decabrominated diphenyl ether (DBDE), a representative brominated flame retardant ubiquitous in the environment, is suspected of being hazardous to humans. We evaluated the developmental immunotoxicity of DBDE by an assay system using respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in offspring mice. Pregnant mice were continuously exposed to DBDE (10, 100, 1000, or 10,000ppm) in the diet from gestation day 10 to weaning on postnatal day 21.

Anti-influenza virus activity of propolis in vitro and its efficacy against influenza infection in mice.

Background: Propolis has been used worldwide as a dietary supplement to maintain and improve human health. We examined whether ethanol extracts of Brazilian propolis exhibit antiviral activity against influenza virus in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Among 13 ethanol extracts screened in a plaque reduction assay, four showed anti-influenza virus activity.

A new assay system for evaluation of developmental immunotoxicity of chemical compounds using respiratory syncytial virus infection to offspring mice.

We evaluated the effect of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU), an anti-thyroid agent, on developmental immunity using respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection to offspring mice as a new risk assessment for brominated flame retardants (BFRs), because some BFRs are suspected of affecting the thyroid system. Pregnant mice were exposed to PTU in drinking water from gestation day 10 to weaning on postnatal day 21. Their offspring mice were infected intranasally with RSV.