Thymocytes are activated by toluene inhalation through the transcription factors NF-κB, STAT5 and NF-AT

Toluene has been extensively examined for effects on the central nervous system. To investigate the influence of low‐level inhalation of toluene on the naive immune cells, male C3H/HeN mice were exposed to filtered air (control) and 50 ppm of toluene for 3 weeks. Low‐level exposure resulted in (1) increased proliferation of thymocytes, (2) IL‐2 production induced in thymocytes and (3) activation of the transcription factors NF‐κB, STAT5 and NF‐AT in thymocytes. These results suggest that thymocytes are sensitive cells and T cell activators are candidates for biomarkers for low‐level exposure to toluene on naive immune cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. To investigate the influence of low‐level inhalation of toluene on the naive immune cells, mice were exposed to low‐level toluene (50 ppm) for 3 weeks. Low‐level exposure resulted in (1) increased proliferation of thymocytes, (2) IL‐2 production induced in thymocytes and (3) activation of the transcription factors NF‐κB, STAT5 and NF‐AT in thymocytes. These results suggest that thymocytes are sensitive cells and T cell activators are candidates for biomarkers for low‐level exposure to toluene on naïve immune cells.