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Review
. 2021 Jul 31;22(15):8242.
doi: 10.3390/ijms22158242.

Mechanisms of Immunotoxicity: Stressors and Evaluators

Maroun Bou Zerdan  1 , Sara Moussa  2 , Ali Atoui  1 , Hazem I Assi  1
Affiliations
Review

Mechanisms of Immunotoxicity: Stressors and Evaluators

Maroun Bou Zerdan et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The immune system defends the body against certain tumor cells and against foreign agents such as fungi, parasites, bacteria, and viruses. One of its main roles is to distinguish endogenous components from non-self-components. An unproperly functioning immune system is prone to primary immune deficiencies caused by either primary immune deficiencies such as genetic defects or secondary immune deficiencies such as physical, chemical, and in some instances, psychological stressors. In the manuscript, we will provide a brief overview of the immune system and immunotoxicology. We will also describe the biochemical mechanisms of immunotoxicants and how to evaluate immunotoxicity.

Keywords: allergies; chemicals; cigarette smoke; hypersensitivities; immune system; immunotoxicity; microbiota; stressors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
How the aryl hydrocarbon receptor functions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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