Oral cadmium intake affect skin immune ractivity

Abstract

Epidemiological studies indicate a possible link between cadmium (Cd) ingested through food and various pathologies / diseases. There is no such data when it comes to skin, although the deposition of this metal in hair is used as a biomarker of human exposure. Only one study has shown the effect of orally administered Cd on wound healing, but the effects on other homeostatic skin activities, including immune, have not been investigated. In order to investigate the potential immunomodulatory effect of this heavy metal on the skin, DA strain rats were exposed to subchronic (30 days) oral intake of cadmium (in drinking water, 5 mg / l and 50 mg / l).Cd was deposited in this tissue and led to oxidative stress, judging by the increase in antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), structural changes in the skin, as well as the presence / activation of innate immune cells. Higher concentrations of deposited Cd in the epidermis compared to the dermis resulted in a stress response at the epidermal cell (EC) level, manifested by increased mRNA expression for metallothioneins (MT-1 and MT-2) and decreased GSH after a higher dose of CdThis metal also led to the manifestation of signs of inflammation, judging by the increased expression of mRNA for iNOS and IL-1β and the production of NO and IL-1β, at a lower dose, and mRNA and IL-6 and TNF protein product at a higher dose. On the other hand, Cd led to increased production of the regulatory cytokine IL-10 (at higher doses). Increased IL-17 production was observed in EC cultures isolated from the skin of rats exposed to 50 mg / l, while the amount of cytokine produced further increased in EC co-culture with lymph node lymphocytes after ConA stimulation (both doses).Cd present in the skin also increased the ability of the EC to respond to the application of the contact allergen DNCB, judging by the increase in IL-6 and TNF (at both doses), while IL-1β remained unchanged. The presented results show a generally proinflammatory effect of Cd on epidermal cells and indicate the potential of orally ingested Cd to modulate immune responses in the skin.