Effects of Cadmium Exposure on the Immune System and Immunoregulation

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd), a biologically non-essential heavy metal, is widespread in the environment, including the air, water, and soil, and is widely present in foods and quantum dot preparations. Cd enters the body primarily through inhalation and ingestion. Its biological half-life in humans is 10–35 years; therefore, Cd poses long-term health risks. While most studies on Cd toxicity have focused on organ and tissue damage, the immunotoxicity of Cd has drawn increasing attention recently. Cd accumulates in immune cells, modulates the function of the immune system, triggers immunological responses, and leads to diverse health problems. Cd acts as an immunotoxic agent by regulating the activity and apoptosis of immune cells, altering the secretion of immune cytokines, inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress, changing the frequency of T lymphocyte subsets, and altering the production of selective antibodies in immune cells. This review summarizes the immunological toxicity of Cd, elucidates the mechanisms underlying Cd toxicity in terms of innate immunity and adaptive immunity, and discusses potential strategies to alleviate the adverse effects of Cd on the immune system.

Polystyrene nanoplastics exacerbated lipopolysaccharide‐induced necroptosis and inflammation via the ROS/MAPK pathway in mice spleen

“…Results are presented as mean ± SEM. The columns marked with different letters are significant differences (p < .05) susceptible to environmental influences,45 LPS could cause damage to the immune system, including necroptosis and inflammation. However, there are fewer studies on PS-NPs promoted LPS-induced immune organ damage.…”

Streptococcus agalactiae cadD alleviates metal stress and promotes intracellular survival in macrophages and ascending infection during pregnancy

“…Interestingly, although the H. pylori CznABC, L. monocytogenes CadC, and GBS CadD systems are involved in cadmium resistance, it remains unclear if macrophages or other innate immune cells utilize cadmium as an antimicrobial strategy. However, cadmium is recognized as a common heavy metal intoxicant that can be ingested or inhaled by a vertebrate host and has been shown to accumulate in immune cells and alter the function of the immune system including cytokine secretion and production of reactive oxygen species 62 . Cadmium exposure is commonly encountered through cigarette smoke exposure, and the biological half-life in humans is 10–35 years 62 , underscoring the potential influence of this non-essential metal.…”

“…However, cadmium is recognized as a common heavy metal intoxicant that can be ingested or inhaled by a vertebrate host and has been shown to accumulate in immune cells and alter the function of the immune system including cytokine secretion and production of reactive oxygen species 62 . Cadmium exposure is commonly encountered through cigarette smoke exposure, and the biological half-life in humans is 10–35 years 62 , underscoring the potential influence of this non-essential metal. These findings, taken together, highlight the extraordinary importance of metal ion homeostasis for the bacterial survival and pathogenesis in the vertebrate host.…”

Blood Cadmium Levels and Oxygen Desaturation during the 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Cadmium exposure could induce oxidative stress, cell and tissue damage, and generate reactive oxygen species, activate apoptosis, induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and persistent chronic inflammation, disrupt extracellular matrix homeostasis, and contribute to post-translational modification of self-antigens (e.g., protein citrullination), and the formation of lymphoid follicles that contribute to the accumulation of autoreactive B and T cells, necessary for the development and persistence of autoimmune responses [19,25,26]. All of these alternations are potentially responsible for the pathogenesis of COPD, impaired lung function, and reduced gas exchange [4,5,27].…”