Immunotoxicity testing procedures in animals and humans
Environmental-Occupational Epidemiology Unit, Centre for Study and Prevention of Cancer, Firenze Italy
Aim: In the absence of specific guidelines recommending the most efficient procedures to test potential immunotoxicity of a compound, National and International Organizations have applied different testing criteria in determining the effects of a substance on the immune system. This work presents two tables containing the various tests used in immunotoxicology research. These tables include basic information on the evaluations that each test has been given, regarding its ability to determine toxic effects on the immune system. Considering the fact that some researchers, who are not experts in the field, may find the results of immunotoxicology research useful, it may be helpful to consult a summary of testing procedures that are commonly used. The purpose of this work is to provide a support for the interpretation of immunotoxicology studies, simplifying the identification of a test that has been carried out, and, consequently, identifying the type of immune response tested. Methods: The summary tables of immune effects contain primarily the information presented in two important studies published by the WHO. This information has been updated with more current data obtained consulting web sites of various organizations, where available, and with other information obtained by Medline researches for immunotoxicity testing procedures. Results: Overviews of the testing procedures used to evaluate the immunotoxicity in animals and in humans are presented. The tables are divided by the immune category evaluated by each test, listed in the first column. The second column lists a generic identifying name for the test and the third gives a more detailed definition. The organs, cells or other parameters possibly affected are listed in the fourth column and the principal effects on the immune system following exposure to the agent under investigation is listed in the fifth column. The last column indicates a reference to the organizations that recommend or mention the use of these tests and, when considered, the level or “tier” attributed to the tests. Conclusions: These tables can be used to provide a valid support for the interpretation of experimental or epidemiological studies in the field of immunotoxic effects following exposure to chemical agents, such as those that characterize industrial exposures. The present information could be used to identify the type of test that has been carried out, in the case that it is not expressly cited in an abstract or report, and in addition, can help to identify the immune category that was tested. We intend to use these tables in interpreting the immune effects of exposures to a variety of industrial chemical compounds, by creating a matrix of immune effects (immune category affected, and type of effect). of chemicals.
Paper presented at the International Symposium on Predictive Oncology and Intervention Strategies; Nice, France; February 7 - 10, 2004; in poster session 1091 (Vaccine trials).