2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) promotes IgG but not IgM antibody production in vivo in mice

Individuals working in a dental clinic are exposed to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). HEMA has been found to have several effects on the immune system, including acting as an adjuvant in mice and stimulating the production of human IgG1 in vitro. In this study we continued to explore the immunomodulatory properties of HEMA in mice. Mice were co-injected subcutaneously with the following: HEMA + ovalbumin (OVA) in bicarbonate buffer, OVA in bicarbonate buffer, HEMA in bicarbonate buffer, or bicarbonate buffer alone. Mice immunized with OVA were killed 2 wk after a booster injection. Mice exposed to HEMA only were killed 6 d after the last injection with HEMA. Serum and spleens were collected. The activities of anti-OVA IgG and anti-OVA IgM were determined using ELISAs, as was the in vitro production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by splenocytes after 2 d of incubation. Splenocyte proliferation was analyzed using [(3)H]thymidine decomposition. Mice exposed twice to HEMA in vivo had a higher baseline and a higher concanavalin A-stimulated proliferation of splenocytes, and produced less TNF-alpha in relation to IL-6, compared with controls. Immunization of mice with OVA/HEMA resulted in a higher anti-OVA IgG activity, relative to anti-OVA IgM activity, compared with controls. In conclusion, HEMA has selective effects on cytokine and antibody production in mice.