Immunotoxicity Of Metals And Immunotoxicology

Considerable scientific and political interest has been expressed, parallelling public concern about the effects of chemicals on the immune system and the implications of those effects for health. Coupled with speculation about the magnitude and extent of the problem is discussion of needs for predictive testing and regulatory control measures. The first international seminar on the immunological system as a target for toxic damage was held in Luxembourg in 1984. It was organized by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (United Nations Environment Programme-International Labour Office World Health Organization) and the Commission of the European Communities with the support of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (USA) and the participation of the International Society of Immunopharmacology. In view of the perceived importance of imrnunotoxicity, it was considered necessary to organize a follow-up meeting. Thus, an international workshop on the immunotoxicity of metals and immuno toxicology was held in Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, on 6-10 November 1989.

Considerable scientific and political interest has been expressed, parallelling public concern about the effects of chemicals on the immune system and the implications of those effects for health. Coupled with speculation about the magnitude and extent of the problem is discussion of needs for predictive testing and regulatory control measures. The first international seminar on the immunological system as a target for toxic damage was held in Luxembourg in 1984. It was organized by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (United Nations Environment Programme-International Labour Office World Health Organization) and the Commission of the European Communities with the support of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (USA) and the participation of the International Society of Immunopharmacology. In view of the perceived importance of imrnunotoxicity, it was considered necessary to organize a follow-up meeting. Thus, an international workshop on the immunotoxicity of metals and immuno toxicology was held in Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, on 6-10 November 1989.

Provides an overview of the effects of environmentally and occupationally important metals on the immune system and host defence. The fist ten chapters in the text focus on particular metals or groups of metals, including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel and vanadium. Subsequent chapters examine the immunotoxicological effects of trace metals such as indium and platinum and essential metals such as iron, zinc and copper. The main emphasis is on the in vivo and in vitro effects of these metals on host immune responses in a variety of mammalian species including humans. Each chapter also briefly reviews the history, use, occurrence, biology and toxicology of the metals.

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

This text provides a concise and comprehensive introduction to key immunotoxicological issues for all those interested in, but with no prior knowledge of, this area of toxicology. The first section explores the health consequences of immunotoxicity, namely the adverse effects related to chemically-induced immunosuppression and immunostimulation, hy

This is a review of clinical adverse effects on the human immune system that may occur following drug treatments and chemcical exposures. Current and prospective models and assays that can be used to predict these adverse effects in animal toxicity studies or in human beings are described.

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.