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IMPORTANCE OF ENZYMATIC BIOTRANSFORMATION IN IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY
Citation:
Germolec, D., N H. Adams*, AND M. Luster. IMPORTANCE OF ENZYMATIC BIOTRANSFORMATION IN IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY. REVIEWS IN TOXICOLOGY. IOS Press, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1(7-8):33-51, (1997).
Impact/Purpose:
Journal Article
Description:
Many immunotoxic compounds, such as benzene and other organic solvents, pesticides, mycotoxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, can alter immune function only after undergoing enzyme-mediated reactions within various tissues. In the review that follows, the role of enzymatic transformation in immunotoxicity is examined. We begin with a brief overview of the immune system and a summary of the evidence which suggests that xenobiotics can alter the function of the cells and signaling molecules required for normal immune responses. We then examine the principal Phase I and Phase II enzymes involved in the bioactivation process, particularly the cytochrome P450s, the reactions by which these enzymes detoxify or bioactivate foreign compounds, and the factors which influence their expression and regulation. Finally, we present a number of immunotoxicants and discuss the role that metabolic activation plays in their toxicity.