Chlorpyrifos-induced suppression of the antioxidative defense system leads to cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in macrophages

Chlorpyrifos, widely used for pest control, is known to have various harmful effects, although its toxic effects in macrophages and the mechanisms underlying its toxicity remain unclear. The present study investigated the toxic effects of chlorypyrifos in a macrophage cell line. Here, we found that chlorpyrifos induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, chlorpyrifos induced intracellular ROS production, subsequently leading to lipid peroxidation. Chlorpyrifos reduced the activation of antioxidative enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Chlorpyrifos upregulated HO-1 expression and activated the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, as indicated by enhanced Nrf2 phosphorylation and Keap1 degradation. Chlorpyrifos exerted effects on the following in a dose-dependent manner: cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS production, antioxidative enzyme activity reduction, HO-1 expression, Nrf2 phosphorylation, and Keap1 degradation. Notably, N-acetyl-L-cysteine successfully inhibited chlorpyrifos-induced intracellular ROS generation, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Thus, chlorpyrifos may induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity by promoting intracellular ROS production and suppressing the antioxidative defense system activation in macrophages.