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Immunotoxicity Studies
Citation:
LUEBKE, R. W., D. Germolec, AND M. Luster. Immunotoxicity Studies. Second, Chapter 3.1, Comprehensive Toxicology. Elsevier: Oxford, OXFORD, Uk, 3:211-223, (2010).
Impact/Purpose:
The chapter presents an overview of immune system organization and function followed by a discussion of the methods used to detect effects on the immune system, in both general toxicity and immunotoxicity studies.
Description:
Immunotoxicology is a subdiscipline of toxicology that focuses on unintended modulation of the immune system. Effects that may occur include immunosuppression, immunostimulation, hypersensitivity, or autoimmunity, which may result in outcomes such as increased incidences of infectious or neoplastic diseases, allergy/asthma or autoimmune diseases, respectively. To date, immunotoxicity testing efforts have primarily focused on the potential for chemicals to suppress the immune system (Table 1; reviewed in Luebke et aI., 2006; Descotes, 2003; Vos and Van Loveren, 1998) and to identify allergic skin sensitizers (Table 2; reviewed in van Loveren et aI., 2008; Gerberick et aI., 2007; Basketter et aI., 2002). With the increased use and development of immunebased or immune-targeted therapeutic proteins unintended stimulation of the immune system has also become an area of concern. Accepted methods that readily assess systemic hypersensitivity are not currently available.
