Allergic hypersensitivity to the herbicide 2,4-D in BALB/c mice

• Published in: Journal of toxicology and environmental health Vol. 10; no. 4/5; pp. 729 - 741
• Main Authors: Cushman, J.R, Street, J.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1982
• Subjects: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - adverse effects; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - immunology; agrochemicals; Animals; Cyclophosphamide - pharmacology; Dinitrofluorobenzene - immunology; Dinitrophenols - immunology; Drug Hypersensitivity; Female; Haptens - immunology; Immunoglobulin E - analysis; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; pesticides; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains
• ISSN: 0098-4108; 1087-2620
• DOI: 10.1080/15287398209530291

Following several reports of human allergic hypersensitivity, the ability of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) to elicit 2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies and delayed-type hypersensitivity in BALB/c mice was studied. 2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies were detected in mouse sera following the second intraperitoneal immunization with 1, 10, or 100 micrograms 2,4-D-keyhold limpet hemocyanin conjugate with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Specific IgE was determined with the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test using a conjugate of 2,4-D with bovine serum albumin for challenge. The highest antibody titers and a measurable response in all mice were seen in the group that received 1 microgram of 2,4-D conjugate. Dinitrophenyl-specific IgE was measured at all intervals examined in mice immunized with a dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate. 2,4-D applied epicutaneously on 2 d or over 4 wk failed to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity as measured by change in ear thickness, incorporation of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine, or histology following challenge on the ear. No 2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies were detected in serum during the 4-wk sensitization period. Similar treatment with a known sensitizer, dinitrofluorobenzene, produced delayed hypersensitivity. Following 4 wk of dosing, low titers of dinitrophenyl-specific IgE antibodies were elicited.