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Epidemiology studies have demonstrated increased pulmonary morbidity such as allergy and infection with episodes of high particulate air pollution (size range 0.1-10 mum diameter, PM10), but the mechanism(s) for this association is not yet well defined. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of EHC-93 urban particles (Ottawa dust) on immune functions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and splenocytes from male Fischer 344 rats and C57Bl/6 mice. Immune function endpoints evaluated included cell viability, lymphocyte blastogenesis stimulated by T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A, Con A) or B-cell mitogens [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS/dextran sulfate], intracellular Ca2+ concentration, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, and expression of receptors for transferrin (TfR) and IL-2 (IL-2R). In addition, the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, on the toxicity of EHC-93 particles was evaluated. Total EHC-93 particles, water leachate of EHC-93, and washed EHC-93 suppressed proliferation of PBMCs and splenocytes to T- and B-cell mitogens. Treatment of splenocytes with EHC-93 particles did not alter intracellular Ca2 + concentration or m itogen-induced expression of TfR and IL-2R expression, but increased IL-2 production assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In spite of an increase in IL-2 production, exogenous IL-2 when added to cultures was able to reverse the suppression of Con A-induced lymphocyte proliferation by EHC-93 particles. Furthermore, the suppressive effect of EHC-93 particles on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was completely abolished by addition of the antioxidant NAC to cultures, suggesting a possible role of oxidative factors for the toxicity of EHC-93 particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]