Immunotoxicology of organic acid anhydrides (OAAs)

Organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) have considerable economic importance due to their extensive use in the production of alkyd, epoxy, and polyester resins. Occupational exposure to OAAs has been associated with a variety of health effects, which may be classified into two major categories of direct toxicity/irritant and hypersensitivity. The hypersensitivity diseases associated with OAA exposure are thought to be related to the reactivity of these chemicals and in particular their ability to form protein conjugates that may be recognized as neo-antigens by the immune system. This review will present a brief discussion of the basic chemistry of these compounds and the environmental and biological monitoring methods used for exposure measurements. The clinical syndromes associated with exposure to these compounds will be discussed along with factors that may affect disease susceptibility. Finally, animal models that have been developed to examine the mechanisms of disease will be discussed.