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Related Experiment Videos

Organic mercury compounds and autoimmunity.

Said Havarinasab1, Per Hultman

  • 1Molecular and Immunological Pathology (AIR), Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, University Hospital, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.

Autoimmunity Reviews
|July 2, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Mercury compounds can suppress the immune system, but organic mercury (MeHg, EtHg) can paradoxically stimulate immunity, causing mercury-induced autoimmunity (HgIA) in susceptible individuals. Methyl mercury shows the weakest autoimmune effects compared to other mercury types.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunotoxicology
  • Environmental Health
  • Autoimmunity

Background:

  • Mercurials have historically been viewed as immunosuppressive agents.
  • Organic mercurials like methyl mercury (MeHg) and ethyl mercury (EtHg) are potent immunosuppressors.
  • Mercury (Hg) can induce autoimmunity (HgIA) in genetically susceptible individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dual role of mercury compounds on the immune system.
  • To compare the immunostimulatory and autoimmune effects of different mercury forms.
  • To understand the mechanisms underlying mercury-induced autoimmunity.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo studies in mice with susceptible genotypes.
  • Administration of various mercury compounds (MeHg, EtHg, inorganic Hg, thimerosal).

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  • Assessment of immune response, autoantibody production (anti-fibrillarin), and immune complex deposition.

    • Main Results:

    • Organic mercurials initially suppress, then stimulate the immune system, leading to HgIA-like syndromes.
    • Methyl mercury exhibits the weakest immunostimulatory and autoimmunogenic effects at equimolar doses.
    • Thimerosal's effects are comparable to inorganic mercury.
    • The role of organic mercury per se versus its inorganic transformation product in autoimmunity is under investigation.

    Conclusions:

    • Organic mercurials possess a dual immunomodulatory capacity, initially suppressing and subsequently stimulating immune responses.
    • Mercury-induced autoimmunity is dependent on both the mercury compound and host genotype.
    • Further research is needed to differentiate the autoimmune contributions of organic mercury compounds and their inorganic metabolites.