Immune system terms Links

Inflammation and autoimmunity often are associated with the destruction of bone, but the molecular link between these two processes had long been unclear. The role of bone in the generation of immune system cells is evident since they are formed in the marrow housed within the bone however, the role of these cells on bone is not so clear. RANKL and RANK were described initially in activated T-cells and in dendritic cells, respectively, where they have functions in the regulation of cellular lifespan and immunomodulation (Anderson et al. 1997 Wong et al. 1997). Recently the term osteoimmunology has been coined to describe the link between the immune system and bone (Arron et a. 2000). Several data support this idea ... 

Very high and repeated doses of lindane caused kidney, pancreas, testes, and nasal mucous membrane damage in animals. There have been reported links of lindane to immune system damage however, these results have not been amply demonstrated in test animals or in humans in a long-term study.48 Evaluation of several studies has indicated that the evidences on carcinogenicity and mutagenicity are contradictory and inadequate.14,48,50... 

Figure 33.2 Lipopolysacchartde structure. Lipopolysaccharide. a potent activator of the innate immune system, is found on the surfaces of Gram-negative bacteria. The structure is built around lipid A, a specialized lipid that has four fatty acyl chains linked to two N-acetylglucosamine residues. Lipid A is linked to a polysaccharide chain consisting of a core and a more variable region termed the O-specific chain.

Viruses have been implicated in the development of at least two cancers. Infection with the human papilloma virus is a major risk factor for cervical cancer, and like any sexually transmitted disease, the cancer is more common amongst those who have had numerous partners and is almost unknown in nuns. But the most well-established link is between Burkitt s lymphoma and the Epstein-Barr virus (one of the herpes viruses) in African countries. In developed countries, this virus causes glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis), and the different progress of the disease in Africans is apparently due to an immune system that is usually suppressed through a long-term assault by malaria parasites like Plasmodium falciparum. 

If released uncontrolled to the environment, dioxins and furans find their way in very low concentrations into many food sources. They are known to be toxic species, depending however, on the level of exposure. Above the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) [1] exposure to dioxins or furans may result in skin lesions and altered liver function. Long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions. Chronic exposure of animals to dioxins has resulted in several types of cancer. 

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