Inflammatory response sulfur mustard-induced

The mechanism of action of sulfur mustard is multifaceted and complex, and has been reviewed in some detail by Papirmeister et al. (1991), Hurst and Smith (2008), and Smith et al. (2008). Efforts to understand the mechanisms of sulfur mustard toxicity are ongoing. Basically, sulfur mustard disrupts the interface of the epidermis and basement membrane causing blistering between the epidermis and dermis. Both immediate (immediate cell membrane damage) and delayed phases (secondary effects resulting from inflammatory responses, DNA damage, vascular leakage) have been described for sulfur mustard-induced dermal effects (Somani and Babu, 1989). Many of the toxic effects of sulfur mustard can be attributed to oxidative stress. 

Buxton, K.L., Danne, M.M., Babin, M.C., Ricketts, K.M., Gazaway, M.Y., Sabourin, C.L., Casillas, R.P., Schlager, J.J. (2001). Gene array analysis of sulfur mustard-induced inflammatory mediator response in mouse ear. Toxicologist 60 129. 

Among the most studied mechanisms of sulfur mustard toxicity are thiol depletion, resulting in intracellular calcium imbalance and subsequent cell death alkylation of DNA and other cellular macromolecules lipid peroxidation resulting from sulfur mustard-induced gluthathione depletion and induction of an inflammatory response. The overall mechanism of sulfur mustard toxicity likely involves an interlinking of the aforementioned processes which are briefly described below. 

---