[An in vitro test system for evaluation of human-immunotoxicological actions of polychlorinated biphenyls]

: An in vitro test system using isolated human leukocytes for evaluation of immunotoxicological actions of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) is described. Immunotoxic effects of PCB 77, PCB 126 could be demonstrated by evaluation of the production of interleukin IL-1alpha, IL-2 and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) of stimulated human leukocytes. The release of IL-1alpha, IL-2 and TNF-alpha was suppressed up to 60-80% by 0,05 ng of the PCB.