In vitro effects of platinum compounds on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine release

In vitro immune effects of Pt compounds of occupational and/or environmental importance, or those used in cancer treatment were studied. Spontaneous and PHA-stimulated proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in vitro release of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-5 were assessed in presence of high and very low concentrations of Pt salts: 10-4 and 10-7 M (NH4)2[PtCl6], (NH4)2[PtCl4], PtCl4, PtCl2, Na2PtI6, and cis-diaminedichloroPt (CisPt). Spontaneous and PHA-stimulated PBMC proliferation were both inhibited by 10-4 M (NH4)2[PtCl6] and (NH4)2[PtCl4], while only PHA-stimulated proliferation was inhibited by 10-4 M CisPt, without significant effects of the other Pt salts. TNF-α release from PBMC was reduced by 10-4 M (NH4)2[PtCl6] and INF-γ release was reduced by 10-4 and 10-7 M hexa- and tetrachloroplatinate and 10-4 M Na2PtI6, but not by other Pt salts. IL-5 release (related to the Th2 immune response) was inhibited by 10-4 M (NH4)2[PtCl6], (NH4)2[PtCl4] and Na2PtI6, but it was enhanced by both 10-4 and 10-7 M PtCl4. PtCl2 did not influence the immune effects. The study shows Pt salts have immune effects and their potency is ranked in the following order: (NH4)2[PtCl6] > (NH4)2[PtCl4] > Na2PtI6 and CisPt > PtCl4 > PtCl2. These results indicate that certain Pt salts affect lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine release. The intracellular mechanisms responsible for such effects have not been identified.