Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)Isocyanurate has an Effect on Inflammation Markers in Mouse Primary Astrocytes In vitro

-Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)isocyanurate (TBC or TDBP-TAZTO) is a new brominated flame retardant (BFR) used as a replacement of classic BFR, such as tetrabromobisphenol A. TBC is supposed to be safer than classic BFRs, but reports show that it may induce a similar toxic effect. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the impact of TBC on the inflammation and activation of the apoptosis process in mouse cortical astrocytes in vitro. Our results have shown that TBC increases caspase-1 and caspase-3 activity in mouse astrocytes in vitro, which suggests inflammation-induced apoptosis. Further analyses have revealed that TBC indeed increases the level of inflammation markers, e.g. Cat, IL-1 beta and IL-1 beta R1 proteins, but decreases the level of proliferation marker protein Ki67. However, our study has demonstrated that TBC does not change the morphology of astrocytes and does not increase the number of apoptotic bodies - a well-established marker of late apoptosis. Moreover, the concentration of 50 mu M TBC also increases caspase-3 activity with no formation of apoptotic bodies. However, since 10 and 50 mu M TBC have never been detected in living organisms, we can assume that the compound is safe at the low concentrations that are detected.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the impact of Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)isocyanurate (TBC) on inflammation and the apoptosis process in mouse cortical astrocytes in vitro. The results showed that TBC increased caspase-1 and caspase-3 activity, indicating inflammation-induced apoptosis. While TBC increased inflammation markers, it did not change the morphology of astrocytes or increase the number of apoptotic bodies.