Principles and Practice of Immunotoxicology

Immunotoxicology is a relatively new area of scientific and medical research that looks at the human immune system as a target for the toxic effects of drug and non-drug chemicals. This book is a benchmark text in this emerging speciality which comprises nineteen comprehensively referenced chapters authored by internationally recognised experts in this area. It is the first book devoted to this subject, and is divided into four major sections. The first two sections describe the basic science underpinning the discipline with chapters on the cells of the immune system, their pharmacological responses and mechanisms of self-regulation. External factors such as nutritional and psychological effects on the immune system are also discussed. Section three examines immunological and allergic effects in humans following exposure to toxic chemicals and is of particular importance to hospital accident and emergency units. Occupational pathology due to contact with materials such as asbestos and silicon is also discussed. The final section considers methodological approaches to the assessment of immunotoxic events in experimental conditions. Important areas such as hypersensitivity, histopathology as well as molecular biological and cell culture approaches are fully explained and provide an up-to-date guide to laboratory investigation of immunotoxicological processes.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 The basis of the immune system - cells of the immune system; regulation of the immune system by pharmacological and biological mediators; homeostatic mechanisms in the immune response. Part 2 Immunotoxicology (current concepts): toxic consequences of chemical interactions with the immune system; adverse immunological effect of drugs and other chemicals and methods to detect them; contact sensitivity; the lung as a target organ; intolerance and allergic reactions to food components and additives; the effect of nutrition on the immune system; psychoneuroimmunology; interaction between the immune system, endocrine system and nervous system. Part 3 Specific examples relating to the immunotoxic/health effects of chemicals: mineral dusts - asbestos, silica and others; occupational asthma and allergic reactions to inhaled chemicals; PCB intoxication; TCDD intoxication, toxic oil and others. Part 4 Methods of assessing immunotoxic events in experimental systems: hypersensitivity - adverse drug reaction; histopathological approaches; specific immuno function assays; integrating in vitro systems with animal models in mechanistic studies of immunotoxic agents; molecular immunotoxicology; concluding remarks.