Kinetics of cytokines mRNAs expression in the dorsal skin of WBN/ILA-Ht rats following topical application of T-2 toxin

The kinetics of cytokines mRNAs expression was examined in the dorsal skin of Wistar-derived hypotrichotic WBN/ILA-Ht rats topically applied with T-2 toxin. After the application of 10 mul (0.5 mug/mul) of T-2 toxin solution, the total mRNA was obtained from skin biopsies at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after treatment (HAT). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out with pairs of oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the cDNA sequences of rat TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines. The level of TNF-alpha mRNA showed marked elevation at 3HATand decreased toward 24HAT, but it remained significantly higher level even at 24HAT. In addition, the level of IL-1 beta mRNA expression showed a sligth but significant elevation at 3 and 24HAT. On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in other cytokines mRNAs expression between T-2 toxin-treated and control groups througth the observation period. Together with our previous report describing the sequence of epidermal cell apoptosis (ALBARENQUE et al. 1999), the present results suggest that the elevation of TNF-a mRNA expression may play an important role in T-2 toxin-induced epidermal cell apoptosis.