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Immunotoxicology and its application in risk assessment
Andrew A Rooney1, Robert W Luebke, Maryjane K Selgrade
1National Toxicology Program, Office of Health Assessment and Translation, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, Andrew.Rooney@nih.gov.
Experientia Supplementum (2012)
|September 5, 2012
Summary
External factors like chemicals and UV radiation can harm the immune system (immunotoxicity). This can lead to increased infections or potentially autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Area of Science:
- Immunotoxicology
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- The immune system is vulnerable to external factors (xenobiotics).
- Exposure to xenobiotics can suppress or stimulate immune responses.
- Immune suppression is linked to infections and cancer, while stimulation may worsen allergies and autoimmunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of xenobiotics on immune function.
- To highlight the link between immune modulation and adverse health outcomes.
- To emphasize the need for comprehensive immunotoxicity risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Review of toxicological assessments and scientific literature.
- Analysis of cause-and-effect relationships in immunotoxicity.
- Evaluation of immune system responses to xenobiotics.
Main Results:
- Xenobiotics can suppress immunity, reducing resistance to infections and neoplasia.
- Xenobiotics can stimulate immunity, potentially exacerbating hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and inflammation.
- Established links exist between immune suppression and disease susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Immunotoxicity is a significant concern with diverse xenobiotic exposures.
- Risk assessment for immunotoxicity requires evaluating suppression, stimulation, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity.
- Understanding immunotoxicology is crucial for public health and safety.
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