Increased immunoreactivity of glutathione-S-transferase in the retina of Swiss Webster mice following inhalation of JP8 + 100 aerosol

• Published in: Archives of toxicology 2000-07, Vol.74 (4-5), p.276-280
• Main Authors: MCGUIRE, S, BOSTAD, E, SMITH, L, WITTEN, M, SIEGEL, F. L, KORNGUTH, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosols; Animals; Antibodies; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Glutathione Transferase - immunology; Hydrocarbons - toxicity; Immunohistochemistry; Inhalation Exposure; JP-8 jet fuel; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Neuroglia - drug effects; Retina - cytology; Retina - drug effects; Retina - enzymology; Toxicology; Various organic compounds
• ISSN: 0340-5761; 1432-0738
• DOI: 10.1007/s002040000125

The current study was designed to determine whether exposure of mice to aerosolized jet fuel (JP8 + 100) resulted in changes in the cellular distribution or immunoreactivity of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), a biomarker of toxicant exposure. Male mice were exposed to JP8 + 100 at 1000 mg/m3 or 2500 mg/m3 in aerosol for 1 h per day for 7 days and then sacrificed. The retinas were studied by immunohistochemical methods. The JP8 + 100 exposure caused a marked increase in the immunoreactivity of anti-GSTM antibodies with the radial glial cells of the retina, the Müller cells. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that JP8 + 100 acts as a toxicant to mouse retina by permitting the flux of materials across the blood-retina barrier. The findings are relevant to humans because recent studies indicate that Air Force personnel assigned to clean and maintain fuel pods may be exposed to concentrations of JP8 + 100 exceeding 1000 mg/m3.