Immune system differentiation

Holladay, S.D. and Smialowicz, R.J., Development of the murine and human immune system differential effects of immunotoxicants depend on time of exposure, Environ. Health Perspect., 108, 463, 2000. 

In the treatment of diseases where the metaboUtes are not being deUvered to the system, synthetic metaboUtes or active analogues have been successfully adrninistered. Vitamin metaboUtes have been successfully used for treatment of milk fever ia catde, turkey leg weakness, plaque psoriasis, and osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy ia humans. Many of these clinical studies are outlined ia References 6, 16, 40, 51, and 141. The vitamin D receptor complex is a member of the gene superfamily of transcriptional activators, and 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D is thus supportive of selective cell differentiation. In addition to mineral homeostasis mediated ia the iatestiae, kidney, and bone, the metaboUte acts on the immune system, P-ceUs of the pancreas (iasulin secretion), cerebellum, and hypothalamus. 

Originally described in the immune system, NFAT proteins comprise a family of transcriptional factors that play key roles in many cellular processes that control not only immune responses but also the development, regulation, and differentiation of many other tissues. Activation of NFAT proteins results in the expression of specific sets of genes that regulate multiple cell functions [1,2]. 

NFAT was first described in cells of the immune system, but these transcription factors are widely expressed and their function is crucial in the regulation, development, and differentiation of many nonimmune tissues. 

The key end result of TLR signalling is the induction of cytokines. Cytokines are proteins produced during an immune response that allow the maturation, activation and differentiation of effector cells in the immune system. The activation of NFkB and AP-1 by the MyD88 and the TREF dependent pathways leads to the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-a and various chemokines. This pathway can also activate IRF-7 via TLR-7and TLR-9 allowing Type-I interferons to be produced. 

CBP Cromolyn-binding protein CCK Cholecystokinin CCR Creatinine clearance rate CD Cluster of differentiation (a system of nomenclature for sur ce molecules on cells of the immune system) cluster determinant CDl Cluster of differentiation 1 also known as MHC class I-like surfitce glycoprotein... 

The cell surface contains antigens, which are referred to as CD, which stands for cluster of differentiation. The antibodies are produced against a specific antigen. When administered, usually by an intravenous injection, the antibody binds to the antigen, which may trigger the immune system to result in cell death through complement-mediated cellular toxicity, or the antigen-antibody cell complex may be internalized to the cancer cell, which results in cell death. Monoclonal antibodies also may carry radioactivity, sometimes referred to as hot antibodies, and may be referred to as radioimmunotherapy, so the radioactivity is delivered to the cancer cell. Antibodies that contain no radioactivity are referred to as cold antibodies. 

The term cytokine was first introduced in the mid 1970s. It was applied to polypeptide growth factors controlling the differentiation and regulation of cells of the immune system. The interferons and interleukins represented the major polypeptide families classified as cytokines at that time. Additional classification terms were also introduced, including lymphokines (cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-y, produced by lymphocytes) and monokines (cytokines such as TNF-a, produced by monocytes). However, classification on the basis of producing cell types also proved inappropriate, as most cytokines are produced by a range of cell types (e.g. both lymphocytes and monocytes produce IFN-a). 

Details on the cellular immune responses occurring following the recognition of xenobiotic haptens as antigens by the immune system are described in chapters 33-35 of this volume. Ultimately, a certain combination of mediators is selectively activated and subsequently helps determine and differentiate the characteristic immune response (e.g., Thl vs. Th2). For example, dermal sensitizing chemicals (e.g., oxazolone and dinitrochlorobenzene) elicit a higher proportion of Thl cytokines such as IFNy and... 

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