ToxSci Advance Access originally published online on September 17, 2007
Toxicological Sciences 2007 100(2):328-332; doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfm244
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Published by Oxford University Press 2007.
Immunotoxicity—The Risk is Real
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, MD B143-01, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
1 For correspondence via fax: (919) 541-0026. E-mail: selgrade.maryjane{at}epa.gov.
Received July 5, 2007; accepted September 11, 2007
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Abstract |
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Several papers published over the last year represent significant progress in closing the gap between rodent immunotoxicity data and human risk and indicate that, at least for the developing immune system, the concern raised by rodent data is justified. The studies reviewed here show that suppression of immune responses in rodents is predictive of suppression of immune responses in humans and that there is a relationship between immune suppression following developmental exposure to the toxicants and enhanced risk of infectious or neoplastic disease in humans. The three cases highlighted here are remarkable in that they all deal with real-world environmental exposures that represent different media—air (cigarette smoke), water (arsenic), and food (polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs])—and constitute very real risks. Moreover, the arsenic and PCB studies actually demonstrate a quantitative relationship between human exposure and immune suppression. There is evidence that in utero exposure to cigarette smoke and arsenic but not PCBs is associated with increased risk of allergic disease as well. There is clearly potential for designing studies that could address both issues.
Key Words: immunotoxicity; allergy; cigarette smoke; arsenic; polychlorinated bipenyls.
Disclaimer: This paper has been reviewed by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the agency and mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.