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Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication: A Functional Biomarker to Assess Adverse Effects of Toxicants and Toxins, and Health Benefits of Natural Products
05:27

Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication: A Functional Biomarker to Assess Adverse Effects of Toxicants and Toxins, and Health Benefits of Natural Products

Published on: December 25, 2016

Small chemicals, bioactivation, and the immune system--a fragile balance of i-tox and benefits?

Charlotte Esser1, Bettina Jux

  • 1Institut für Umweltmedizinische Forschung (IUF), Auf'm Hennekamp 50, D-40225 Düsseldorf. chesser@uni-duesseldorf.de

Chemistry & Biodiversity
|November 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Small chemicals (SCs) can harm the immune system, leading to diseases. Research explores how SCs cause immune reactions and the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in these adverse effects.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Immunotoxicology studies adverse immune reactions caused by chemicals.
  • Small chemicals (SCs) are widespread and can impact immune cells and functions.
  • Rising rates of autoimmune and allergic diseases suggest a link to SC exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss concepts of small chemical immunotoxicity.
  • To explore the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in chemical-induced immune responses.
  • To deepen the mechanistic understanding of adverse immune reactions for therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on immunotoxicology and small chemicals.
  • Analysis of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a mediator of chemical effects on the immune system.
  • Discussion of potential mechanisms of SC-induced immunotoxicity, including protein adducts and signaling pathway disruption.

Main Results:

  • Small chemicals can interfere with various immune system components and functions.
  • The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is implicated in mediating adverse immune responses to small chemicals.
  • Evidence suggests small chemicals contribute to the increasing incidence of autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding small chemical immunotoxicity is crucial for public health.
  • The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) presents a key pathway linking environmental chemical exposure to immune system dysfunction.
  • Further research into AhR modulation may lead to novel therapeutic or avoidance strategies for immune-related diseases.

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