Molecular Immunotoxicology - 9783527335190

Citing the long history (ancient Egypt) of human impairment by various xenobiotics, the challenges such as those in the area of biotherapeutics, emerging strategies for predicting toxicity, and in light of EU legislation on the protection of animals used in research, Corsini and van Loveren see a likely major role played by in vitro methods, which, along with new technologies, afford a better understanding of chemical-induced immunotoxicity, which directly interacts with immunocompetent cells, interfering with signal transduction and resulting in alteration of the status and/or functionality of the immune system. They aim to facilitate better hazard identification and a mechanistically based risk assessment of immunotoxicity leading to a better risk assessment for human beings. Fifteen chapters are: the evolution of immunotoxicology; overview on the mechanisms underlying chemical-induced immunotoxicity; use of toxicogenomics in immunotoxicology; breakdown of the molecular processes driving the adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) of skin and respiratory sensitization induction in humans exposed to xenobiotics and proteins; chemical allergen-induced skin cell activation; the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a mediator of adverse immune reactions; immunotoxicological effects of pharmaceuticals on signal transduction in innate and adaptive immunity; promises and challenges with immunomodulatory biologics; the nonclinical evaluation of biotechnology-derived pharmaceuticals, moving on after the TeGenero case; glucocorticoid-induced immunomodulation; particulate matter-induced immune activation; genotoxic mechanisms of PAH-induced immunotoxicity; immunotoxic effects of perfluoroalkylated compounds: mechanisms of action; pesticide-induced immunotoxicity: molecular targets; mode of action of organotins in immune cells. Annotation ©2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)