A lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay
was developed in which primary human monocytes were
used as test cells. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and a
number of its metabolites were subjected to this test
system. A dose-dependent inhibition of CL was observed
for most compounds. The following EC50 values were
determined: TNT = 8 μg/mL; 2,4-DANT = 5 μg/mL; 4-ADNT
= 38 μg/mL; 2-ADNT = >50 μg/mL; 4-acetyl-2,6-DNT=
50 μg/mL, and 2-acetyl-4,6-DNT = >50 μg/mL. The CL assay
was also applied to aqueous extracts of TNT-contaminated
soil before and after bioremediation and to soil extracts
free of any nitroaromatics. Extracts of non-contaminated soil
reduced the CL by about 60%, whereas an extract of
contaminated soil was 100% suppressive. Leachates of
bioremediated soil caused a similar response as compost
free of any nitroaromatics. The results demonstrate the
usefulness of a primary human monocyte culture system
for testing environmentally toxic compounds.