Cellular Response of Mouse Splenocytes to Heavy Metals Exposure

• Published in: Toxicological and environmental chemistry Vol. 88; no. 1; p. 235
• Main Authors: Degagne, Julie, tier, Marlene, Chevalier, Gaston, Fournier, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2006
• ISSN: 0277-2248

Cellular response of mouse splenocytes to heavy metals exposure is presented. Among the environmental contaminants recognized for their toxicity and their global presence, heavy metals are certainly a major concern. They can elicit a number of immunomodulatory effects leading ultimately to an enhanced susceptibility of immune cells to microbial agents and the appearance of neoplastic diseases and autoimmune phenomena. Heavy metals also provoke changes in the function(s) of immune cells. A striking biological effect of heavy metals is the induction of intracellular thiols. Thiols are involved in many physiological processes, including protection from free radical damage and detoxification of chemicals. Data show that the levels of thiols in the pre-activate cells are greater than non-pre-activated cells following exposure to various heavy metals; macrophages are more resistant than lymphocytes to the toxic effects of heavy metals, and pre-activated cells are more resistant than cells at rest.