The Immunopharmacology of Immunotoxicology, and Immunorestoration

Abstract

The first part of this paper focuses on the secondary immunodeficiencies caused by immunosuppressive drugs and environmental chemicals. The mechanism of action and the therapeutic effects of azathioprine, glucocorticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, and anticancer drugs will be discussed. The immunotoxic actions of benzene, polychlorinated and polybrominated biphenyls, tetrachlorodibenzo-paradioxin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, various insecticides, metals and abused drugs or drugs with side effects are also described. Immunorestorative approaches are discussed in the second part, based on our current knowledge of the immune system and the lymphokines and hormones involved in its function. The usefulness of thymic hormones, interleukin 2, macrophage growth factor/colony stimulating factor, and interferons as immunotherapeutic agents is considered. In addition, we address chemically defined drugs, such as levamisole, diethyldithiocarbamate, isoprinosine, muramyl dipeptides, azimexon, ciamexon, bestatin, tuftsin, and pyrimidinoles, and finally conclude that combined use of different immunostimulants may be the most effective way to treat the above mentioned immunodeficiencies.

In vitro and in vivo effects of mercuric chloride on thymic endocrine activity, NK and NKT cell cytotoxicity, cytokine profiles (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-6): Role of the nitric oxide-l-arginine pathway

“…On the other hand, the thymus stores mercury injected intraperitoneally [24], and thymic failure and impaired cell-mediated immunity are usual events in toxicosis due to heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead [75] Thus, it is not surprising that high doses of mercury may also cause thymic failure, particularly in terms of TEC number and proliferation, impaired thymulin production and activity, and damage to innate and adaptive immune responses. However, since the influence of Hg 2 + on autoimmunity also has a genetic background [76], further studies are required to better clarify the role of Hg 2 + on the immune response.…”

A Novel Retrovirus (Gunnison’s Prairie Dog Retrovirus) Associated With Thymic Lymphoma in Gunnison’s Prairie Dogs in Colorado, USA

“…Pooled libraries were length-selected for 300–500-bp fragments using a BluePippin 2% cassette (Sage Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). Length-selected libraries were cleaned using a 1:1.4 ratio of solid phase reversible immobilization [ 26 ] beads (Kapa Biosystems, Roche, Pleasanton, CA, USA). Individual libraries were then pooled for sequencing.…”

Azathioprine as a neuroprotective agent in experimental traumatic spinal cord injury

“…It is slowly metabolized into 6-mercaptopurine after administration. Although it affects mainly T cells, several important effects on macrophages have also been documented (5). It has been shown to decrease macrophage infiltration into the peritoneal cavity following inflammation (9).…”