Bisphenol A in combination with TNF-alpha selectively induces Th2 cell-promoting dendritic cells in vitro with an estrogen-like activity.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in manufacturing a wide range of chemical products, including epoxy resins and polycarbonate. BPA, an important endocrine disrupting chemical that exerts estrogen-like activities, is detectable at nanomolar levels in human serum worldwide. The pregnancy associated doses of 17beta-estradiol (E2) plus tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce distorted maturation of human dendritic cells (DCs) that result in an increased capacity to induce T helper (Th) 2 responses. The current study demonstrated that the presence of BPA during DC maturation influences the function of human DCs, thereby polarizing the subsequent Th response. In the presence of TNF-alpha, BPA treatment enhanced the expression of CC chemokine ligand 1 (CCL1) in DCs. In addition, DCs exposed to BPA/TNF-alpha produced higher levels of IL-10 relative to those of IL-12p70 on CD40 ligation, and preferentially induced Th2 deviation. BPA exerts the same effect with E2 at the same dose (0.01-0.1 microM) with regard to DC-mediated Th2 polarization. These findings imply that DCs exposed to BPA will provide one of the initial signals driving the development and perpetuation of Th2-dominated immune response in allergic reactions.