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Developmental immunotoxicity (DIT), postnatal immune dysfunction and childhood leukemia.

Rodney R Dietert¹

¹Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, C5-135 VMC North Tower Road, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. rrd1@cornell.edu

Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases

|November 21, 2008

Summary

Environmental factors can disrupt the developing immune system, leading to postnatal immune dysfunction. Early-life immune insult (ELII) from xenobiotics is a risk factor for childhood diseases, necessitating safety testing.

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Development and Functional Characterization of Murine Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells

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Published on: May 18, 2018

Area of Science:

Immunology
Developmental Toxicology
Environmental Health

Background:

The developing immune system is vulnerable to environmental disruption during critical prenatal/perinatal windows.
Pregnancy involves unique immunological conditions that increase susceptibility to early-life immune insult (ELII).
ELII, including xenobiotic-induced developmental immunotoxicity (DIT), can cause lasting health consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

To review disease susceptibilities impacted by DIT.
To highlight the importance of DIT safety testing for drugs and chemicals.

Main Methods:

This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on DIT and its effects.
It examines the impact of environmental toxicants, maternal infections, and pregnancy stressors on immune development.

Main Results:

DIT can lead to postnatal immune dysfunction and influence the types of diseases children develop.
Dysfunctional immune responses post-DIT are implicated in childhood infections and potentially childhood leukemia.
Specific toxicants and stressors are identified as contributors to DIT.

Conclusions:

DIT poses a significant risk for various childhood diseases.
Robust safety testing for chemicals and drugs is crucial to prevent DIT.
Understanding DIT is vital for protecting child health from environmental insults.