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Aguayo F, Boccardo E, Corvalán A, Calaf GM, Blanco R. Interplay between Epstein-Barr virus infection and environmental xenobiotic exposure in cancer. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:50. [PMID: 34193233 PMCID: PMC8243497 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00391-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpesvirus associated with lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. Both B cells and epithelial cells are susceptible and permissive to EBV infection. However, considering that 90% of the human population is persistently EBV-infected, with a minority of them developing cancer, additional factors are necessary for tumor development. Xenobiotics such as tobacco smoke (TS) components, pollutants, pesticides, and food chemicals have been suggested as cofactors involved in EBV-associated cancers. In this review, the suggested mechanisms by which xenobiotics cooperate with EBV for carcinogenesis are discussed. Additionally, a model is proposed in which xenobiotics, which promote oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage, regulate EBV replication, promoting either the maintenance of viral genomes or lytic activation, ultimately leading to cancer. Interactions between EBV and xenobiotics represent an opportunity to identify mechanisms by which this virus is involved in carcinogenesis and may, in turn, suggest both prevention and control strategies for EBV-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrique Boccardo
- Laboratory of Oncovirology, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Corvalán
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gloria M Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, 1000000, Arica, Chile.,Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Rancés Blanco
- Laboratorio de Oncovirología, Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Torti MF, Giovannoni F, Quintana FJ, García CC. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as a Modulator of Anti-viral Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:624293. [PMID: 33746961 PMCID: PMC7973006 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.624293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor, which interacts with a wide range of organic molecules of endogenous and exogenous origin, including environmental pollutants, tryptophan metabolites, and microbial metabolites. The activation of AHR by these agonists drives its translocation into the nucleus where it controls the expression of a large number of target genes that include the AHR repressor (AHRR), detoxifying monooxygenases (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1), and cytokines. Recent advances reveal that AHR signaling modulates aspects of the intrinsic, innate and adaptive immune response to diverse microorganisms. This review will focus on the increasing evidence supporting a role for AHR as a modulator of the host response to viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Florencia Torti
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Giovannoni
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francisco Javier Quintana
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cybele Carina García
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Casadó L, Arrebola JP, Fontalba A, Muñoz A. Adverse effects of hexaclorobenzene exposure in children and adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108421. [PMID: 31387069 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hexachlorobenzene (HCB: C₆Cl₆) is a persistent, bioaccumulative chemical formerly used worldwide in pesticide mixtures but also produced as a by-product in the chemical and metallurgical industry. Despite current international restrictions in the use and production of HCB, the majority of the general population still show detectable levels of HCB, which raises concerns on the potential health implications of the exposure. OBJECTIVE To compile and synthesize the available scientific evidence regarding the adverse effects of exposure to HCB in children and adolescents. METHODS A review of the literature focused on the adverse effects of HCB exposure in children. Eligible studies were systematically screened from searches in Medline, Scopus and Ebsco-host databases. A total of 62 studies were finally included. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In our search we found evidences of potential health effects linked to HCB exposure at different levels (e.g. neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, hepatotoxic and toxicogenomic), although the conclusions are still contradictory. Further prospective research is needed, considering the special vulnerability of children and adolescent population as well as the ubiquity of the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Casadó
- Department of Nursing, Medical Anthropology Research Centre (MARC), University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Juan Pedro Arrebola
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, Granada, Spain, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Hospitales Universitarios de Granada, Spain, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
| | - Andrés Fontalba
- Northern Málaga Integrated Healthcare Area, Andalusian Health Service, Antequera, Spain, Department of Nursing, Medicine and Physiotherapy, Almeria University, Almería, Spain
| | - Araceli Muñoz
- School of Social Work, Food Observatory (ODELA), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, Medical Anthropology Research Centre (MARC), University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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Xu J, Ye Y, Huang F, Chen H, Wu H, Huang J, Hu J, Xia D, Wu Y. Association between dioxin and cancer incidence and mortality: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38012. [PMID: 27897234 PMCID: PMC5126552 DOI: 10.1038/srep38012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to systematically assess the association between dioxin/2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and cancer incidence and mortality. Systematic literature searches were conducted until July 2015 in Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane library to identify relevant studies. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR), risk ratio (RR), standard incidence ratio (SIR) or standard mortality ratio (SMR) for cancer incidence or mortality. In addition, dose-response, meta-regression, subgroup, and publication bias analyses were conducted. Thirty-one studies involving 29,605 cancer cases and 3,478,748 participants were included. Higher external exposure level of TCDD was significantly associated with all cancer mortality (pooled SMR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19, p = 0.04), but not all cancer incidence (pooled RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.97-1.06, p = 0.49). Higher blood level of TCDD was both significantly associated with all cancer incidence (pooled RR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.21-2.04, p = 0.001) and all cancer mortality (pooled SMR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.25-1.69, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis suggested that higher external exposure and blood level of TCDD were both significantly associated with the mortality caused by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In conclusion, external exposure and blood level of TCDD were both significantly associated with all cancer mortality, especially for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yao Ye
- Department of Toxicology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Toxicology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hanwen Chen
- Department of Toxicology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Han Wu
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The first Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Dajing Xia
- Department of Toxicology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yihua Wu
- Department of Toxicology, Zhejiang University School of Public Health, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Fracchiolla NS, Annaloro C, Guidotti F, Fattizzo B, Cortelezzi A. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) role in hematopoiesis and in hematologic diseases: A critical review. Toxicology 2016; 374:60-68. [PMID: 27765685 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dioxin exposure and its effect on hematopoiesis and cancer have been largely investigated in both human and non-human settings. Here we systematically reviewed literature to address the question of what we know about TCDD biology and exposure. Most effects are due to TCDD interaction with a receptor of xenobiotics called AHR, which is ubiquitously represented and also works on hematopoietic myeloid and lymphoid stem cells, inducing proliferation and stem cell release from bone marrow to peripheral circulation. Epidemiologic studies on TCDD exposure demonstrated an association with onco-hematologic diseases, particularly with non Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple myeloma, and non hematologic cancers, such as sarcomas, although these relationships are affected by multiple confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Stefano Fracchiolla
- UO Onco-Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20100, Milano, Italy.
| | - Claudio Annaloro
- UO Onco-Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20100, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Guidotti
- UO Onco-Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20100, Milano, Italy
| | - Bruno Fattizzo
- UO Onco-Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20100, Milano, Italy
| | - Agostino Cortelezzi
- UO Onco-Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F. Sforza 35, 20100, Milano, Italy; UO Onco-Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via F Sforza 35, 20100, Milano, Italy
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6
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Wilson M. Integrative Tumor Board: Recurrent Lymphoma. Integr Cancer Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/1534735404268443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Wilson
- The General Medical Clinic, 706 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85203,
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7
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New insights into the aryl hydrocarbon receptor as a modulator of host responses to infection. Semin Immunopathol 2013; 35:615-26. [PMID: 23963494 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-013-0395-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The host response to infection is known to be influenced by many factors, including genetics, nutritional status, age, as well as drug and chemical exposures. Recent advances reveal that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulates aspects of the innate and adaptive immune response to viral, bacterial, and parasitic organisms. Although many of these observations were made using the high affinity but poorly metabolized AhR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), not all of the effects are detrimental to the host. Sometimes AhR activation, even with TCDD, was beneficial and improved host resistance and survival. A similar dichotomy is observed in infected AhR-deficient mice, wherein absence of functional AhR sometimes, but not always, alters host resistance. When examined in their totality, current data indicate that AhR controls multiple regulatory pathways that converge with infection-associated signals and depending on the context (e.g., type of pathogen, site of infection), lead to distinct outcomes. This creates numerous exciting opportunities to harness the immunomodulatory action of AhR to transform host responses to infection. Moreover, since many of the mechanisms cued in response to infectious agents are pivotal in the context of other diseases, there is much to be learned about AhR's cellular targets and molecular mechanisms of action.
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8
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Inoue H, Mishima K, Yamamoto-Yoshida S, Ushikoshi-Nakayama R, Nakagawa Y, Yamamoto K, Ryo K, Ide F, Saito I. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated induction of EBV reactivation as a risk factor for Sjögren's syndrome. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:4654-62. [PMID: 22467650 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates a variety of biological effects by binding to environmental pollutants, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin). Although numerous animal studies have demonstrated the harmful effects of dioxins, it remains controversial whether dioxins pose a risk to human health. Enhanced lytic replication of EBV is a risk factor for the development of autoimmune diseases and cancers. This study evaluated the possibility that ligand-activated AhR reactivates EBV. EBV reactivation and AhR transactivation were evaluated with luciferase assays. Saliva samples were collected from 19 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Control saliva samples were obtained from 10 healthy individuals and nine patients with severe dry mouth. TCDD enhanced BZLF1 transcription, which mediates the switch from the latent to the lytic form of EBV infection in EBV-positive B cell lines and in a salivary gland epithelial cell line. Moreover, TCDD-induced increases in BZLF1 mRNA and EBV genomic DNA levels were confirmed in the B cell lines. Saliva from SS patients activated the transcription of both CYP1A1 and BZLF1. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between CYP1A1 and BZLF1 promoter activities. AhR ligands elicited the reactivation of EBV in activated B cells and salivary epithelial cells, and these ligands are involved in SS. Our findings reveal novel aspects of the biological effects of dioxin and the AhR-dependent pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Inoue
- Department of Pathology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Kanagawa 230-8501, Japan
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Laden F, Bertrand KA, Altshul L, Aster JC, Korrick SA, Sagiv SK. Plasma organochlorine levels and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the Nurses' Health Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010; 19:1381-4. [PMID: 20406963 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-10-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported positive associations of environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) with the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective cohort of U.S. women, we measured concentrations of PCBs and p,p'-DDE in blood samples from 145 women diagnosed with NHL at least 6 months after blood draw and 290 age- and race-matched controls. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for each quartile of exposure relative to the lowest quartile. We also evaluated these associations for major histologic subtypes of NHL. There was no consistent evidence of an association of p,p'-DDE, total PCBs, immunotoxic, or individual PCB congeners with risk of NHL. These results do not support the hypothesis of a positive association between PCB exposure and development of NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Laden
- Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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10
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Mortality Rates Among Workers Exposed to Dioxins in the Manufacture of Pentachlorophenol. J Occup Environ Med 2009; 51:1212-9. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0b013e3181badd4e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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11
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Ng CH, Janoo-Gilani R, Sipahimalani P, Gallagher RP, Gascoyne RD, Connors JM, Weber JP, Lai AS, Leach S, Le ND, Brooks-Wilson AR, Spinelli JJ. Interaction between organochlorines and the AHR gene, and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancer Causes Control 2009; 21:11-22. [PMID: 19821039 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-009-9429-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2008] [Accepted: 09/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Ng
- BC Cancer Agency,Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
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13
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Carozza SE, Li B, Wang Q, Horel S, Cooper S. Agricultural pesticides and risk of childhood cancers. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2009; 212:186-95. [PMID: 18675586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2008.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2008] [Revised: 06/02/2008] [Accepted: 06/10/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Agricultural pesticide applications have the potential for significant drift beyond the target spray area and may result in exposure to non-farming residents in surrounding communities. Using geographic information system (GIS) methods, 1778 childhood cancer cases and 1802 controls born in Texas between 1990 and 1998 were assigned probable agricultural pesticide exposure based on proximity of birth residence to crop fields. Multivariate modeling was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for selected cancers. For most childhood cancers, we found no evidence of elevated risk associated with residential proximity at birth to cropland. There was an overall pattern of increased risk for germ-cell tumors but the odds ratios were based on few number of exposed cases. There was also some indication of increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Burkitt lymphoma, but point estimates were imprecise and not statistically significant. Previous studies have assessed pesticide exposure primarily based on parental occupational history or household use, while our focus was on agricultural pesticides and so may represent a different array of chemical agents occurring at lower doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Carozza
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, TAM HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA.
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Head JL, Lawrence BP. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a modulator of anti-viral immunity. Biochem Pharmacol 2008; 77:642-53. [PMID: 19027719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2008.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Revised: 10/13/2008] [Accepted: 10/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Although immune modulation by AhR ligands has been studied for many years, the impact of AhR activation on host defenses against viral infection has not, until recently, garnered much attention. The development of novel reagents and model systems, new information regarding anti-viral immunity, and a growing appreciation for the global health threat posed by viruses have invigorated interest in understanding how environmental signals affect susceptibility to and pathological consequences of viral infection. Using influenza A virus as a model of respiratory viral infection, recent studies show that AhR activation cues signaling events in both leukocytes and non-immune cells. Functional alterations include suppressed lymphocyte responses and increased inflammation in the infected lung. AhR-mediated events within and extrinsic to hematopoietic cells has been investigated using bone marrow chimeras, which show that AhR alters different elements of the immune response by affecting different tissue targets. In particular, suppressed CD8(+) T cell responses are due to deregulated events within leukocytes themselves, whereas increased neutrophil recruitment to and IFN-gamma levels in the lung result from AhR-regulated events extrinsic to bone marrow-derived cells. This latter discovery suggests that epithelial and endothelial cells are overlooked targets of AhR-mediated changes in immune function. Further support that AhR influences host cell responses to viral infection are provided by several studies demonstrating that AhR interacts directly with viral proteins and affects viral latency. While AhR clearly modulates host responses to viral infection, we still have much to understand about the complex interactions between immune cells, viruses, and the host environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Head
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
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Abstract
Exposure to environmental contaminants has a profound effect on immune function, yet mechanistic understanding of how pollutants deregulate immune responses has, for many chemicals, remained elusive. Available data suggest that certain pollutants alter host immune responses and increase susceptibility to viral infection. In particular, data from a combination of epidemiological and animal studies show that exposure to dioxins, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust and other air pollutants increase pathology associated with infection. Mechanistically, some of these chemicals disrupt the kinetics and efficacy of innate and adaptive responses to infection, whereas others influence viral latency. While there remain considerable gaps in our knowledge of the complex interactions between viruses, immune cells, and the host environment, these observations indicate that pollutants are important but overlooked contributors to susceptibility and pathogenesis of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Paige Lawrence
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
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Hardell L, Walker MJ, Walhjalt B, Friedman LS, Richter ED. Secret ties to industry and conflicting interests in cancer research. Am J Ind Med 2007; 50:227-33. [PMID: 17086516 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently it was reported that a Swedish professor in environmental health has for decades worked as a consultant for Philip Morris without reporting his employment to his academic employer or declaring conflicts of interest in his research. The potential for distorting the epidemiological assessments of hazard and risk through paid consultants, pretending to be independent, is not exclusive to the tobacco industry. METHODS Documentation is drawn from peer reviewed publications, websites, documents from the Environmental Protection Agency, University reports, Wellcome Library Special Collections and the Washington Post. RESULTS Some consulting firms employ university researchers for industry work thereby disguising industry links in the income of large departments. If the industry affiliation is concealed by the scientist, biases from conflicting interests in risk assessments cannot be evaluated and dealt with properly. Furthermore, there is reason to suspect that editors and journal staff may suppress publication of scientific results that are adverse to industry owing to internal conflict of interest between editorial integrity and business needs. CONCLUSIONS Examples of these problems from Sweden, UK, and USA are presented. The shortfalls cited in this article illustrate the need for improved transparency, regulations that will help curb abuses as well as instruments for control and enforcement against abuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Hardell
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden.
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Spinelli JJ, Ng CH, Weber JP, Connors JM, Gascoyne RD, Lai AS, Brooks-Wilson AR, Le ND, Berry BR, Gallagher RP. Organochlorines and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Int J Cancer 2007; 121:2767-75. [PMID: 17722095 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Organochlorine chemicals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been suspected as possible risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We investigated PCBs and organochlorine pesticides and risk of NHL in a population-based case-control study in British Columbia, Canada. Congeners of PCBs (including dioxinlike congeners) and pesticides or pesticide metabolites were measured in plasma of 422 pretreatment cases and 460 control subjects. This is so far the largest study to examine organochlorines in plasma to date. Several dioxin-like PCB congeners were associated with increased risk of NHL, including dioxin-like PCB nos. 118 and 156 with odds ratios (OR) for the highest versus lowest quartile between 1.6 and 1.8. Several non-dioxin-like congeners also showed significant associations. The PCB congener with the strongest association was no. 180 with an OR for the highest versus the lowest quartile of 1.83 (95% confidence interval = 1.18-2.84). Six pesticide analytes also showed a significant association with NHL; beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor. The strongest association was found for oxychlordane, a metabolite of the pesticide chlordane (highest vs. lowest quartile OR = 2.68, 95% confidence interval = 1.69-4.24). Our results provide further evidence that organochlorines contribute to NHL risk.
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Dreiher J, Kordysh E. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and pesticide exposure: 25 years of research. Acta Haematol 2006; 116:153-64. [PMID: 17016033 DOI: 10.1159/000094675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2005] [Accepted: 12/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 40 years, a substantial rise in the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been observed. Epidemiologic studies aimed at understanding this rise have revealed some association with occupational exposure. NHL is common among farmers, where pesticides have been described as the culprit. The association between pesticides and NHL has been demonstrated mainly in case-control studies, while retrospective cohorts have been less convincing. Pesticides including chlorphenol and phenoxyacetic acid herbicides, organochlorines, and organophosphate insecticides, carbamates, and fungicides have been associated with NHL. Although the causality has not been clearly proven, both genotoxic and nongenotoxic mechanisms for lymphomagenesis have been proposed. The leveling-off of NHL incidence in certain countries may be the result of a favorable change in pesticide usage patterns. Future studies, such as the Agricultural Health Study, may clarify the uncertainties regarding this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Dreiher
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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De Roos AJ, Hartge P, Lubin JH, Colt JS, Davis S, Cerhan JR, Severson RK, Cozen W, Patterson DG, Needham LL, Rothman N. Persistent Organochlorine Chemicals in Plasma and Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Cancer Res 2005; 65:11214-26. [PMID: 16322272 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-1755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been suspected as possible contributors to increasing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence during the latter half of the 20th century based on their toxicologic properties and provocative epidemiologic reports. We investigated PCBs and other organochlorines and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a population-based case-control study in the United States. Congeners of PCBs (including coplanar congeners), dioxins, furans and pesticides or pesticide metabolites were measured in plasma of 100 untreated cases and 100 control subjects. We used a multiple imputation procedure to fill in missing values of levels determined to be below the detection limits. Risks of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with each analyte were estimated using conditional logistic regression for the continuous measure, exposure quartiles, trend across quartile categories, and exposures above the 95th percentile. Certain PCB congeners were associated with increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including coplanar PCBs 156, 180, and 194, with odds ratios for the highest versus lowest quartile ranging from 2.7 to 3.5, and significant trends. Each of the furan congeners was associated with risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as were total furans, with 3.5-fold increased risk for the highest versus lowest quartile and a significant trend across quartiles (P = 0.006). The toxic equivalency quotient (TEQ), a summed metric that weights congeners by their dioxin-like potency, was associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, with 35% increased risk per 10 TEQ pg/g lipid (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.79). Our results add to existing literature, which suggests that exposure to organochlorines contributes to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk; these risks were most apparent for certain PCBs and furans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneclaire J De Roos
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA.
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