Meeting Abstract

P1.157  Sunday, Jan. 4  A Microarry Investigation of Genes Involved in Pollutant-mediated Immunosuppression in Rana pipiens DREBITKO, Heather*; MORRIS, Robert; VATNICK, Itzick; BRODKIN, Marc; Widener University; Widener University; Widener University; Widener University hmdrebitko@mail.widener.edu

Our research examines the effect of environmental pollutants on the amphibian immune response. We have documented the immunosuppressive effect of exposure to a moderate acidic pH (5.5) and the herbicide atrazine on the inflammatory response of Rana pipiens. Specifically, we have shown that both environmental pollutants suppress an experimentally-induced peritoneal inflammatory response with a concomitant decrease in the phagocytic activity of these recruited cells. Work presented here examines the genetic changes occurring in acid-exposed adult Rana pipiens. We make use of microarray technology to elucidate the genetic mechanisms involved in pollutant-mediated immunosuppression. This technology represents an excellent tool for examination of the complex cascades of the immune response. Our study is limited by the lack of a suitable frog microarray necessitating our use of a mouse microarray supplied through the Genome Consortium for Active Learning (GCAT). In spite of this limitation we have identified 31 genes exhibiting significant suppression, and a much larger number of genes under less stringent condition of analysis, in acid-exposed Rana pipiens. We are currently identifying these genes and their role in immunosuppression that results from exposure of Rana pipiens to an acidic pH.