Arsenic ecotoxicology and innate immunity
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
Published on: February 23, 2019
Christopher R Lage1, Akshata Nayak, Carol H Kim
1Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Maine Orono, ME 04469, USA.
Abstract:
Understanding the ecotoxicological effects of arsenic in the environment is paramount to mitigating its deleterious effects on ecological and human health, particularly on the immune response. Toxicological and long-term health effects of arsenic exposure have been well studied. Its specific effects on immune function, however, are less well understood. Eukaryotic immune function often includes both general (innate) as well as specific (adaptive) responses to pathogens. Innate immunity is thought to be the primary defense during early embryonic development, subsequently potentiating adaptive immunity in jawed vertebrates, whereas all other eukaryotes must rely solely on the innate immune response throughout their life cycle. Here, we review the known ecotoxicological effects of arsenic on general health, including immune function, and propose the adoption of zebrafish as a vertebrate model for studying such effects on innate immunity.
Related Concept Videos
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Toxicity Testing in Animals
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Periodic Table Provides Information...
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions

