Immunological effects of occupational exposure to lead (Review). 2017

Concettina Fenga, and Silvia Gangemi, and Valentina Di Salvatore, and Luca Falzone, and Massimo Libra
Department of Biomedical, Odontoiatric, Morphological and Functional Images, Section of Occupational Medicine, 'Policlinico G. Martino' Hospital, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy.

It is well-known that occupational and environmental exposure to several factors, including benzene, heavy metals, chemicals and mineral fibers, is associated with the risk of developing a great number of diseases. Numerous studies have been carried out in order to investigate the mechanisms of toxicity of these substances, with particular regard to the possible toxic effects on the immune system. However, little is known about the influence of heavy metals, such as lead, on the immune system in human populations. Lead is a heavy metal still used in many industrial activities. Human exposure to lead can induce various biological effects depending upon the level and duration of exposure, such as toxic effects on haematological, cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems. Several studies demonstrated that exposure to lead is associated to toxic effects also on the immune system, thus increasing the incidence of allergy, infectious disease, autoimmunity or cancer. However, the effects of lead exposure on the human immune system are not conclusive, mostly in occupationally exposed subjects; nevertheless some immunotoxic abnormalities induced by lead have been suggested. In particular, in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo lead is able to improve T helper 2 (Th2) cell development affecting Th1 cell proliferation. Further studies are required to better understand the mechanisms of lead immunotoxicity and the ability of lead to affect preferentially one type of immune response.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007107 Immune System The body's defense mechanism against foreign organisms or substances and deviant native cells. It includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response and consists of a complex of interrelated cellular, molecular, and genetic components. Immune Systems,System, Immune,Systems, Immune
D004785 Environmental Pollutants Substances or energies, for example heat or light, which when introduced into the air, water, or land threaten life or health of individuals or ECOSYSTEMS. Environmental Pollutant,Pollutant,Pollutants,Pollutants, Environmental,Pollutant, Environmental
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016207 Cytokines Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some non-leukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. Cytokine
D016273 Occupational Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation. Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures
D017382 Reactive Oxygen Species Molecules or ions formed by the incomplete one-electron reduction of oxygen. These reactive oxygen intermediates include SINGLET OXYGEN; SUPEROXIDES; PEROXIDES; HYDROXYL RADICAL; and HYPOCHLOROUS ACID. They contribute to the microbicidal activity of PHAGOCYTES, regulation of SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION and GENE EXPRESSION, and the oxidative damage to NUCLEIC ACIDS; PROTEINS; and LIPIDS. Active Oxygen Species,Oxygen Radical,Oxygen Radicals,Pro-Oxidant,Reactive Oxygen Intermediates,Active Oxygen,Oxygen Species, Reactive,Pro-Oxidants,Oxygen, Active,Pro Oxidant,Pro Oxidants,Radical, Oxygen
D050378 T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory CD4-positive T cells that inhibit immunopathology or autoimmune disease in vivo. They inhibit the immune response by influencing the activity of other cell types. Regulatory T-cells include naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ cells, IL-10 secreting Tr1 cells, and Th3 cells. Regulatory T Cell,Regulatory T-Cell,Regulatory T-Lymphocyte,Regulatory T-Lymphocytes,Suppressor T-Lymphocytes, Naturally-Occurring,T-Cells, Regulatory,Th3 Cells,Tr1 Cell,Treg Cell,Regulatory T-Cells,Suppressor T-Cells, Naturally-Occurring,Tr1 Cells,Treg Cells,Cell, Regulatory T,Cell, Th3,Cell, Tr1,Cell, Treg,Cells, Regulatory T,Cells, Th3,Cells, Tr1,Cells, Treg,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Cell,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Cells,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Lymphocyte,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Lymphocytes,Regulatory T Cells,Regulatory T Lymphocyte,Regulatory T Lymphocytes,Suppressor T Cells, Naturally Occurring,Suppressor T Lymphocytes, Naturally Occurring,Suppressor T-Cell, Naturally-Occurring,Suppressor T-Lymphocyte, Naturally-Occurring,T Cell, Regulatory,T Cells, Regulatory,T Lymphocytes, Regulatory,T-Cell, Naturally-Occurring Suppressor,T-Cells, Naturally-Occurring Suppressor,T-Lymphocyte, Regulatory,Th3 Cell
D058504 Th17 Cells A subset of helper-effector T-lymphocytes which synthesize and secrete INTERLEUKINS IL-17; IL-17F; and IL-22. These cytokines are involved in host defenses and tissue inflammation in autoimmune diseases. T Helper 17 Cell,TH-17 Cell,Th17 Cell,Type 17 Helper T Cell,T Helper 17 Cells,TH-17 Cells,Type 17 Helper T Cells,Cell, TH-17,Cell, Th17,Cells, TH-17,Cells, Th17,TH 17 Cell,TH 17 Cells
D018417 Th1 Cells A subset of helper-inducer T-lymphocytes which synthesize and secrete INTERLEUKIN-2; INTERFERON-GAMMA; and INTERLEUKIN-12. Due to their ability to kill antigen-presenting cells and their lymphokine-mediated effector activity, Th1 cells are associated with vigorous delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. T Helper 1 Cells,TH-1 Cells,Type 1 Helper T Cells,Cell, TH-1,Cell, Th1,Cells, TH-1,Cells, Th1,TH 1 Cells,TH-1 Cell,Th1 Cell
D018418 Th2 Cells A subset of helper-inducer T-lymphocytes which synthesize and secrete the INTERLEUKINS IL-4; IL-5; IL-6; and IL-10. These cytokines influence B-cell development and antibody production as well as augmenting humoral responses. T Helper 2 Cell,T Helper2 Cell,TH-2 Cell,Th2 Cell,Type-2 Helper T Cell,T Helper 2 Cells,T Helper2 Cells,TH-2 Cells,Type-2 Helper T Cells,Cell, T Helper2,Cell, TH-2,Cell, Th2,Cells, T Helper2,Cells, TH-2,Cells, Th2,TH 2 Cell,TH 2 Cells,Type 2 Helper T Cell,Type 2 Helper T Cells

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