Review: Endocrine disrupting chemicals and immune responses: A focus on bisphenol-A and its potential mechanisms

• Published in: Molecular immunology Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 421 - 430
• Main Authors: Rogers, James A., Metz, Luanne, Yong, V. Wee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2013
• Subjects: Animals; Autoimmunity; B-Lymphocytes - drug effects; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Benzhydryl Compounds - toxicity; Dendritic Cells - drug effects; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Endocrine Disruptors - toxicity; Endocrine System - drug effects; Endocrine System - immunology; Endocrine System - metabolism; Gene Expression; Humans; Inflammation; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - immunology; Mice; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors - genetics; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors - immunology; Phenols - toxicity; PPAR; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon - genetics; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon - immunology; Receptors, Estrogen - genetics; Receptors, Estrogen - immunology; Signal Transduction; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - drug effects; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Autoimmunity; Inflammation; PPAR; Macrophages; Lymphocytes
• ISSN: 0161-5890; 1872-9142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2012.09.013

► Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, specifically Bisphenol-A, is common. ► Bisphenol-A produces several effects on various immune cell types. ► Bisphenol-A affects immunity through a variety of intracellular receptors.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have become of concern for a variety f health issues. Due to their effects on the endocrine system they have been thoroughly examined with regards to sexual dysfunction, malformation, and cancers of reproductive origin. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a widely studied EDC and has been characterized regarding its estrogenic effects on a variety of cell types. BPA also alters immune responses. In this review, we examine some of the documented effects of EDCs, with a focus on BPA that pertain to modulation of the immune system and various immune cell populations. We highlight the multiple actions of BPA on altering T cell subsets, B cell functions, and dendritic cell and macrophage biology. Finally, we consider that these immunological activities of BPA may be mediated through estrogen receptor signaling, arylhydrocarbon receptor, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family of nuclear receptors.