Immunological Effects of Mercury (IUPAC Technical Report)
Immunological Effects of Mercury (IUPAC Technical Report)
by Michael Schwenk, Reinhild Klein, and Douglas M. Templeton
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2009
Vol. 81, No. 1, pp. 153–167
Various chemical species of mercury differ considerably with regard to their route of absorption and their distribution in the body, yet many of them and their metabolites exhibit high-affinity binding to sulfanyl groups of proteins. Among all metals, mercury appears to have the most diverse effects on the immune system. Depending on the animal species and experimental conditions, mercury compounds may cause immunosuppression or immunostimulation, autoimmune reactions, or hypersensitivity. Mercury-sensitive strains of rats and mice are often used as model organisms to study the time course and events in autoimmunity. Within about 14 days after the onset of oral mercury (II) exposure, levels of immunoglobulins E and G (IgE and IgG) increase, including autoantibodies to biomolecules, such as laminin and fibrillarin. Antigen-antibody complexes are formed and are the cause of subsequent autoimmune diseases of blood vessels and organs. Mercury may induce local mercury hypersensitivity in humans, but the evidence for mercury’s role in autoimmune disease in humans is weak at best. Models for the immune effects of mercury are presented on the basis of current knowledge.
This report completes a project of the Chemistry and Human Health Division on the immunochemistry of metal sensitization (project 1999-047-1-700).
Page last modified 28 April 2009.
Copyright © 2003-2009 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Questions regarding the website, please contact edit.ci@iupac.org
Immunological Effects of Mercury (IUPAC Technical Report)
by Michael Schwenk, Reinhild Klein, and Douglas M. Templeton
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2009
Vol. 81, No. 1, pp. 153–167
Various chemical species of mercury differ considerably with regard to their route of absorption and their distribution in the body, yet many of them and their metabolites exhibit high-affinity binding to sulfanyl groups of proteins. Among all metals, mercury appears to have the most diverse effects on the immune system. Depending on the animal species and experimental conditions, mercury compounds may cause immunosuppression or immunostimulation, autoimmune reactions, or hypersensitivity. Mercury-sensitive strains of rats and mice are often used as model organisms to study the time course and events in autoimmunity. Within about 14 days after the onset of oral mercury (II) exposure, levels of immunoglobulins E and G (IgE and IgG) increase, including autoantibodies to biomolecules, such as laminin and fibrillarin. Antigen-antibody complexes are formed and are the cause of subsequent autoimmune diseases of blood vessels and organs. Mercury may induce local mercury hypersensitivity in humans, but the evidence for mercury’s role in autoimmune disease in humans is weak at best. Models for the immune effects of mercury are presented on the basis of current knowledge.
This report completes a project of the Chemistry and Human Health Division on the immunochemistry of metal sensitization (project 1999-047-1-700).
Page last modified 28 April 2009.
Copyright © 2003-2009 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Questions regarding the website, please contact edit.ci@iupac.org
© 2014 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
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- What Is “Materials Chemistry?”
- Beyond the Book
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- IUPAC International Chemical Identifier–InChI Update
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- Provisional Recommendations
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- Philosophy of Chemistry
- Advanced Materials
- Thermodynamics
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- Mark Your Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- From the Editor
- Contents
- Moving Ahead with the International Year of Chemistry
- What Is “Materials Chemistry?”
- Beyond the Book
- Scientific Method: Can It Help Promote the Public Appreciation of Science?
- IUPAC President Publicizes the International Year of Chemistry
- L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards Bestowed Upon Five Exceptional Women Scientists
- Javier Garcia Martinez Named a Young Global Leader
- Deliang Chen Takes the Helm at ICSU
- Postgraduate Course in Polymer Science
- Toward a Comprehensive Definition of Oxidation State
- IUPAC International Chemical Identifier–InChI Update
- Humic-Metal Binding Constants Database
- Provisional Recommendations
- Immunological Effects of Mercury (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Teaching High-Temperature Materials Chemistry at University (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Guidelines for Rheological Characterization of Polyamide Melts (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Dispersity in Polymer Science (IUPAC Recommendations 2009)
- Countercurrent Chromatography in Analytical Chemistry (IUPAC Technical Report)
- A Global Science Gateway
- Interactions of Soil Minerals with Organic Components and Microorganisms
- Biotechnology for the Sustainability of Human Society
- From Molecular Understanding to Innovative Applications of Humic Materials
- D.I. Mendeleev and the Problems of Sustainable Development
- Mendeleev and Natural Resources
- Challenges in Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry
- Biological Surfaces and Interfaces
- Heteroatom Chemistry
- Philosophy of Chemistry
- Advanced Materials
- Thermodynamics
- Crop Protection Chemistry in Latin America
- Mark Your Calendar
