Dioxin-like (DL-) polychlorinated biphenyls induced immunotoxicity through apoptosis in mice splenocytes via the AhR mediated mitochondria dependent signaling pathways.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) would do serious damage to multiple systems, while coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, the most toxic member of the family, has been widely taken into consideration. In this study, ICR mice were fed with different doses of PCB126 to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms on immunotoxicity. The results showed that PCB126 caused immunosuppression as evidenced by inhibiting the ratios of thymus and spleen weights, changing the organizational structure and decreasing levels and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2.