Immunotoxicology

Continuing the tradition set by the first and second editions, each a bestseller in its own right, the third edition of Immunotoxicology and Immunopharmacology provides reviews of environmental agents, updated to reflect the latest information on how these agents influence immune system function and health. For the first time in the book's history,

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

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.

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.

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, hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases, with an overview of major immunotoxicants. The second part describes the latest methods used to detect and evaluate, preclinically and clinically, the unexpected immunotoxic effects of xenobiotics. Trends in implementing strategies and recent changes to the regulatory aspects are also considered. The third section examines possible future developments, including In Vitro methods, biomarkers of immunotixicity and risk assessment.

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.

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

Despite rapidly increasing interest in developmental immunotoxicology, there is not yet a textbook focused on this hot area of research. Developmental Immunotoxicology fills the void with overviews of immune system development in experimental animal and human models, and discusses the complex issues related to the evolution of developmental immunology and risk assessment. This text describes different models used to study developmental immunotoxicology and examples of specific developmental immunotoxic agents, including therapeutics. The text concludes with several chapters that describe the role of neuroimmune interactions as they relate to developmental immunotoxicology. Using a didactic approach, Developmental Immunotoxicology provides an explanatory overview of this cutting-edge field for toxicologists, immunologists, and developmental biologists. It provides a lucid account of this area of research-proposing answers to some questions and stimulating debate on those questions yet to be addressed by the research community.