Experimental Immunotoxicology

Immunotoxicology has emerged as a vital and expanding discipline over the past several years. Although the field of human immunotoxicology is arguably still in its infancy, a number of animal model systems have been well established and validated. Experimental Immunotoxicology provides an update on the recent advances in the field as it relates to animals and provokes discussion on approaches to the evaluation of human immunotoxicology. It is an important reference source for professionals in immunology and toxicology. The book begins with an overview of the mammalian immune system and covers the important role played by animal host susceptibility models. It also gives an update on immunotoxicolgy in sub-human primates. Vulnerability of bone marrow and the consequences of damage to immune function as well as chemical-induced immunosuppression as a consequence of exposure to chemicals are covered. Most of the chapters are organized to include a description of the profile of immunotoxicity, mechanisms of immunotoxicity, species comparisons and research needs.

Investigative Immunotoxicology provides a critical evaluation of proposed experimental animal models and approaches, and discusses the contribution that immunotoxicity can make to the overall assessment of chemical-induced adverse health effects on humans and the ecosystem. Following a review of general concepts in immunotoxicology, the book discus

IX The International Seminar on the Immunological System as a Target for Toxic Damage was held at The Commission of the European Communities (CEC) in Luxembourg on 6-9 November 1984. It was organized by the CEC and the International Programme on Chemical Safety of UNEP/ILO/WHO with the support of the u. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - USA and with the participation of the International Society of Immunophar macology. These bodies are actively concerned with the scientific and applied aspects of immunotoxicology. The Seminar consisted of thirty-four invited papers and three major panel discussions covering current and future test strategies for the screening of immunotoxic substances, hypersensitivity and the health implications of immunotoxico logical problems. It was attended by more than 200 scien tists from 27 countries representing all the Member states of the European Economic Community and the six Regions of the World Health Organization. These scientists represented many different disciplines and interests. The Seminar's principal objectives were: a review of recent advances in knowledge concerning the structure, function and dysfunction of the immunological system; - a review of the effects of xenobiotics on the immune system in animals and humans; an examination of the human health implications of immunotoxicity; discussion and critical analysis of the procedures for the assessment of immunological damage, a discussion of needs for the further development of laboratory and epidemiological methods and their validation, and a consideration of current test strategies.

This authored book presents basic immunological tenets and mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level while employing the toxicology focus on hazard identification, appropriate assays, dose response, and risk assesment by mathematical models and safety factors. It will be a useful reference to toxicologists because it will incorporate new guidelines that the EPA is bringing out later this year for all chemicals regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act. Regulatory sections in each chapter focus on data from both the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as data applicable to western European Nations.

The human immune system is constantly exposed to chemical contaminants, whether from food, water or air. Some chemicals directly elicit an immune response, while others indirectly activate or deactivate components within the immune system. Thus when tracking or predicting the effect of a chemical on the immune system, many different pathways and modes of action need to be considered. Following an introduction to the various pathways and toxicity mechanisms from a systemic perspective, the main part of this comprehensive reference surveys individual molecular mechanisms of important immunotoxicants, from PAHs to biopharmaceuticals, and from receptor-mediated toxicity to nanoparticle toxicity, using analyses based on molecular effects rather than on animal models. Taken together, the knowledge presented here provides an up-to-date overview of this hot topic that can be directly applied to the prediction and characterization of immunotoxic effects in drugs, chemicals, and environmental contaminants.

The second edition of this text has been revised and refocused to reflect the transformation of immunotoxicology from a subdiscipline of toxicology to an independent area of research that can best be described as "environmental immunology." New chapters discuss the role of immune mediators in liver, lung, and skin toxicity, in regulating chemical- metabolizing enzymes, and in the immunosuppression produced by ultraviolet light. More emphasis is placed on the clinical consequences of immunotoxicity, as well as the interpretation of experimental data for predicting, human health risk.; The second edition is divided into three major sections: immunosuppression, autoimmunity, and hypersensitivity. This new organization of the text allows for a more thorough treatment of these phenomena, with greater attention to test methods, theoretical considerations, and clinical implications. The book includes many chapters on specific environmental agents, therapeutic drugs, biological agents, and drugs of abuse, as well as on immune-mediated toxicity in specific organ systems.

Are environmental pollutants threatening the human immune system? Researchers are rapidly approaching definitive answers to this question, with the aid of biologic markersâ€"sophisticated assessment tools that could revolutionize detection and prevention of certain diseases. This volume, third in a series on biologic markers, focuses on the human immune system and its response to environmental toxicants. The authoring committee provides direction for continuing development of biologic markers, with strategies for applying markers to immunotoxicology in humans and recommended outlines for clinical and field studies. This comprehensive, up-to-date volume will be invaluable to specialists in toxicology and immunology and to biologists and investigators involved in the development of biologic markers.