US EPA

2210616 

Journal Article 

Effects On Immunocompetence By Chemicals Of Environmental Concern 

Faith, RE; Luster, MI; Vos, JG 

1980 

0 

Reviews in Biochemical Toxicology
ISSN: 0163-7673 

NIOSH/00149626 

2 

173-211 

The effects of environmental chemicals on the immune system are reviewed. A number of chemicals of environmental concern may either enhance or suppress various immune parameters. Environmental chemicals affect host defense mechanisms as well; such chemicals include aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD). The salient features of the immune system are summarized, cellular and humoral immune mechanisms are described. The development and interactions of the different compartments of the immune system are illustrated. The role of B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes in the immune process are outlined. The role of macrophages and the process of phagocytosis are examined. The immunotoxicology of polybrominated biphenyls, TCDD, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (51207319) is discussed; in this discussion, studies of in-vivo and in-vitro experiments are described. Studies on the effect of hexachlorobenzene (118741) on the immune system are examined. The effects of pesticides, such as DDT (50293), methylparathion (298000), and carbofuran (1563662), and inorganic metals, such as lead (7439921) and cadmium (7440439), on immune function are discussed; the effects of organometallics such as methylmercury (22967926) are summarized. The methods of testing immune function for immunotoxicological studies are enumerated. The effects of agents such as hormones and alpha-fetoprotein on immune function are discussed. The authors conclude that the effect of many chemicals or their metabolites on immune function are due to their direct effects or on lymphoid tissues.