 |
Upcoming Immune Studies
Immune disease research shows a strong link between PCB exposure and
damage to the immune and lymphatic systems. For more information,
see Introduction.
Study #1
HOOPER M. WILDLIFE BIOMARKER APPLICATIONS TO REMEDIATION
DECISION MAKING Crisp Data Base National Institutes of Health. Author Address:
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SC-34/MAIL CODE 357234, SEATTLE, WA 98195-7234
-
assays of local wildlife immune function at PCB contaminated
sites can be used to help calculate human risks
Decision making associated with chemically contaminated waste
sites is generally based on 1) contaminant bioavailability to potentially
exposed populations and 2) the toxicity and biological persistence of the
contaminants present. Wildlife inhabiting contaminated sites are front
line indicators of chemical bioavailability due to their intimate association
with the site and subsequent expression of exposure and effects-associated
biomarker responses. Characterization of dose-response relationships have
shown that wildlife species are often, in fact, more sensitive than standard
laboratory species in their response to waste site contaminants. Research
within this project will continue to focus on the characterization and
application of biomarker technologies in wildlife populations inhabiting
hazardous waste sites. Biomarkers developed in the Project will be applied
at Three National Priorities List sites, The Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Sangamo
Westin Associated PCB dump sites and a waste metals, oil and PCB
site . The biomarkers applied to wildlife on these sites will encompass
both established (i.e., reproductive success, cytochrome P-450 activities,
cellular
and humoral immune function, porphyrin profiles and H4IIE/dioxin equivalency
assays) and nw approaches. In vivo and in vitro estrogenicity and antiestrogenicity
techniques will be developed for use on organochlorine pesticide and halogenated
aromatic hydrocarbon contaminated sites. Chelator-induced excretory depuration
of heavy metals will be combined with porphyrin profile analysis to strengthen
heavy metal exposure assessments. cDNA probes for cytochrome P-450 subtypes
will be used to determine forms and transcription rates of inducible genes
both constitutively and following xenobiotic induction. Changes in muscarinic
acetylcholine receptor site and sub-type densities in response to sub-lethal
organophosphate insecticide exposure in starling nestlings will be evaluted
in terms of post-fledging survival of the nestlings.
Immune function
assays will be modified and optimized to make them field deployable and
less dependent on laboratory intensive techniques. Species studies
will be the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). the European starling
(Sturnus vulgarus) and endemic species encompassing site-specific wildlife
populations. Biomarker techniques and alterations in contaminant metabolite
profiles will be used to access contaminated field sites and their responses
will be used as proposed criteria in remediation site and contaminant prioritization
decisions and remediation success assessments. Project 7 investigates and
applies biomarker techniques to wildlife species inhabiting waste sites
in order to evaluation contaminant bioavailability and effects for use
in remediation prioritization and success evaluations. This area of research
is relevant to the theme of the Program Project because it integrates and
applies health effects biomarker techniques, developed by this and associated
projects, into the prioritization and success evaluation processes critical
to site remediation.
Study #2
CARPENTER DO. MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF POLYCHLORINATED
BIPHENYLS (PCBS) AT AKWESASNE Crisp Data Base National Institutes Of Health.
Author Address: UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY, ONE UNIVERSITY PLACE, RENSSELAER
NY 12144
The General motors Foundry at Massena, Ny is a designated
Superfund Site and has contributed to contamination of soils, sediments,
water and air in the vicinity. The contaminants of particular concern to
this project are principally polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and
to a lesser extent polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polynuclear
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAGs). These substances have accumulated in fish,
wildlife and the local human population. This project focuses upon the
impact of these substances on a Native American population which lives
immediately adjacent to the site, and which is particularly vulnerable
to contamination with these chemicals because their traditional life style
includes consumption of local fish and wildlife. In our past investigations
we have shown that, until recently, there was a clear correlation between
fish consumption and levels of PCBs in breast milk, although this relationship
has decreased as the population has heeded advisories against fish consumption.
The present application is focused on study of physical growth and cognitive
development of older children as well as physical and mental health of
adults. These studies of the human population are based on previous and
concurrent study in animal systems designed to explore the effects of these
xenobiotics on neuronal, hormonal and immune systems. The specific
hypotheses to be tested are that different congeners have different biologic
effects, that congeners of these xenobiotics function as estrogenic or
anti-estrogenic agents, interfere with normal thyroid faction, disrupt
normal regulation of brain levels of critical neurotransmitters such as
dopamine, and interfere with both normal growth and development and cognitive
function. We hypothesize that the effects of these substances are different
in the developing organism than in adults, and we will explore the biologic
effects of both parent compounds and degradation products in in-utero and
lactationally exposed rats. Of the ten specific projects, two are focused
on study of the Native American population, four are biomedical, two focus
on ecology or biodegradation and two are developing technologies that will
allow clean up. These research projects will be supported five cores: administration,
epidemiology and biostatistics, laboratory services, training and technology
transfer and outreach.
Study #3
CANTOR KP. INVESTIGATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES AND
CANCER Crisp Data Base National Institutes Of Health. Author Address: NCI,
NIH
-
a nested case-control study found an association between
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk and pre-diagnostic levels of PCBs in stored
serum samples
Risk factors for cancer in the general environment are studied
to identify specific chemicals and classes of contaminants, to investigate
mechanisms of action, and to estimate the contribution of environmental
factors to cancer in the overall population. Case-control studies are conducted
of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and cancers of the bladder, colon, rectum, stomach,
brain, pancreas, and kidney. The primary focus is on drinking water contaminants,
especially disinfection byproducts, nitrate, and arsenic, as well as body
burdens of chlorinated hydrocarbons from past environmental or dietary
exposures. In the past year, two studies were completed in Western Maryland.
A
nested case-control study found an association between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
risk and pre-diagnostic levels of PCBs in stored serum samples. A second
nested case-control study in Maryland observed a link between consumption
of chlorinated surface water with elevated disinfection byproduct levels
and risk of bladder cancer. A Mexican study, in which NCI researchers were
major collaborators, did not find a link between breast cancer risk and
serum DDT levels. Studies in Taiwan and elsewhere have described a high
risk for skin, bladder, and other cancers after exposure to arsenic in
drinking water supplies at levels several times the maximum contaminant
limit. A case-control study in Utah is evaluating the bladder risk at lower
levels that are more common the US. The possible role of nitrate in the
etiology of several cancers is being evaluated in an ecologic study encompassing
large areas of the United States. In addition, two case-control investigations
of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are following up on findings from another study
that found a link of drinking water nitrate with this disease. Several
activities are developing new approaches, and improving existing methods,
of exposure asssessment in studies of general environmental exposures.
These are required to better estimate risk and to detect the relatively
small increases in risk often encountered in such studies. These projects
often borrow on sophisticated industrial hygiene techniques developed with
the Branch that are used to estimate exposure in occupational settings.
Geographic information systems (GIS) are being explored for their utility
in environmental epidemiology studies. Databases of water contaminants,
gathered for routine monitoring purposes, are being used to estimate past
exposures to subjects in case-control studies. (Cantor, no date)
Back to top
Immune Studies Without
Abstracts
Lovik M, Johansen HR, Gaarder PI, Becher G, Aaberge IS,
Gdynia W, Alexander J. Halogenated organic compounds and the human immune
system: preliminary report on a study in hobby fishermen. Arch Toxicol
Suppl; VOL 18, 1996, P15-20. Author Address: National Institute of Public
Health, Geitmyrsvn, Oslo, Norway.
LOVIK M, JOHANSEN HR, AABERGE IS, BECHER G, GAARDER PI,
GDYNIA W, ALEXANDER J. IMMUNE SYSTEM CHANGES AND RESPONSE TO VACCINATION
IN NORWEGIAN MALES EXPOSED TO POLYCHLORINATED DIOXINS AND DIOXIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS
BY CONSUMPTION OF CRABS FROM A POLLUTED FJORD. Source: 9TH INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS OF IMMUNOLOGY. THE 9TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF IMMUNOLOGY; MEETING
SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF IMMUNOLOGISTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL
UNION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL SOCIETIES, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA, JULY
23-29, 1995. IX+742P. 9TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF IMMUNOLOGY: SAN FRANCISCO,
CALIFORNIA, USA.; 0 (0). 1995. 386.
HALEY PJ. IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSES WITHIN THE LUNG AFTER
INHALATION OF AIRBORNE CHEMICALS. GARDNER, D. E., J. D. CRAPO AND R. O.
MCCLELLAN (ED.). TARGET ORGAN TOXICOLOGY SERIES: TOXICOLOGY OF THE LUNG,
SECOND EDITION. XII+672P. RAVEN PRESS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA. ISBN 0-88167-966-6.;
0 (0). 1993. 389-416.
MEGGS WJ. MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AND THE IMMUNE
SYSTEM. ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLINICS (AOEC) WORKSHOP
ON MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY, WASHINGTON, D.C., USA, SEPTEMBER 20-21,
1991. TOXICOL IND HEALTH; 8 (4). 1992. 203-214.
Other pages in this Immunity section:
|
