The role of environmental estrogens and autoimmunity

Chighizola, Cecilia Beatrice; Meroni, Pier Luigi

doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2011.11.027

Cited by 87 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 96 publications

(88 reference statements)

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“…Previous research indicates that prolonged exposure to estrogens may influence T and B cell homeostasis and lead to autoimmunization (Chighizola and Meroni 2012) because estrogens significantly influence the innate and adaptive immune systems (Straub 2007). Estrogens regulate the expression of cytokines, molecular messengers which activate and deactivate various cells (Sattar Ansar 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations in ileal Peyer’s patches in gilts exposed to zearalenone

Obremski¹

2014

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

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GALT induces tolerance to foreign food antigens and plays an important role in the development of food allergies and the inflammatory bowel disease. The immune function of GALT is significantly influenced by an equilibrium between Th1 and Th2 subpopulations and the cytokines they produce. Th1 cytokines participate in the induction of a cell-mediated immune response, whereas Th2 cytokines induce powerful antibody-mediated responses. Changes in Th1/Th2 cell polarization of an immune response are associated with susceptibility to autoimmune and infectious diseases. This experiment investigated changes in cytokine levels produced by Th1 and Th2 cells in ileal Payer's patches in gilts exposed to ZEN doses below the NOEL (approximately 8 μg kg -1 BW) for 14, 28 and 42 days. A significant linear increase in IL-4 (40.32 ± 1.55 ng mg -1 -137.60 ± 29.96 ng mg -1 ), and IL-10 (5.99 ± 0.15 ng mg -1 -16.39 ± 1.11 ng mg -1 ) concentrations was observed. An increase in Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) cytokine levels was also noted in the experimental group, but it was not statistically significant. An HPLC analysis of Peyer's patches in group E animals revealed a linear increase in ZEN concentrations (3.65 ± 0.91 ng g -1 -4.72 ± 1.85 ng g -1) and an absence of α-ZEL. IL-4 stimulates monocytes and macrophages, it induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines and it may directly and indirectly contribute to the development of inflammatory foci. Higher IL-4 levels could shift polarization toward Th2 cells, stimulate B cells to undergo class switching to produce IgE and contribute to the development of allergies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations in ileal Peyer’s patches in gilts exposed to zearalenone

Obremski¹

2014

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences

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“…As for the other mycotoxins, especially the type B trichothecenes, their ecotoxicity is still largely unknown. Nevertheless, the presence of mycotoxins is of particular toxicological concern due to the estrogenic properties, as well as due to their relation with carcinogenesis, immune suppression and teratogenic activity (Chighizola and Meroni, 2012).…”

Section: Ecotoxicological Revelancementioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Natural Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Douro River Estuary, Portugal

Ribeiro

Maia

Santos

et al. 2015

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol

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Many studies demonstrated the presence of diverse environmental contaminants in the Douro River estuary, such as natural and synthetic estrogens, pharmaceuticals, industrial compounds and pesticides. This estuary is located between two densely populated cities and is highly impacted due to anthropogenic activities, such as industry and agriculture. Although the presence of mycotoxins and phytoestrogens, such as lignans and coumestrans, in the aquatic environment is reported by some authors, their occurrence in Portuguese waters was not investigated yet. To evaluate the presence of phytoestrogens, phytosterols and mycotoxins in Douro River estuary, water samples were collected seasonally at nine sampling points, preconcentrated by solid phase extraction and analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Local flora was collected on the riverside, in the same sampling points, for identification and evaluation of the possible relation to the presence of phytoestrogens and/or phytosterols in the estuarine water. Results showed the ubiquitous presence of mycotoxins, namely deoxynivalenol up to 373.5 ng L(-1). Both phytoestrogens and phytosterols showed a possible seasonal fluctuation, which is in accordance to the life cycle of the local flora and agricultural practices. Physicochemical parameters were also determined for water quality evaluation. This study revealed for the first time the presence of mycotoxins and lignans in estuarine waters from Portugal, and highlights the need to consider natural contaminants in future monitoring programs.

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“…In fact, it has been proposed that environmental estrogens, compounds that show estrogen-like activity and are ubiquitously present in the environment, might display synergic/ additive effect with endogenous molecules on immune responses and represent an unexpected enhancing risk factor in such direction [58].…”

Section: Expert Commentary and Five-year Viewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrogen’s effects in chronic autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and progression to cancer

Cutolo

Sulli

Straub

2013

Expert Review of Clinical Immunology

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Endocrine-immune system interactions are the basis for predominance of autoimmune diseases in women with differences between the fertile and the postmenopausal periods. B cell-driven diseases reach the maximum incidence rate in the reproductive years, at least in women under the effects of serum estrogens and their metabolites (endocrine synthesis). On the other hand, the prevalent peripheral synthesis of estrogens, especially in advanced ages (intracrine synthesis), through the action of aromatases, modulate the immune/inflammatory response in peripheral tissues similarly in both female and male patients (final common pathway). Interestingly, tissue injury that occurs during chronic immune/inflammatory reaction induces tissue repair and homeostatic responses including cell proliferation, growth factor production and angiogenesis that might facilitate cancer progression. The successful treatment of chronic immune/inflammatory diseases obtained by using medications initially developed for use in oncology, such as antiproliferative drugs, B-cell depleting monoclonal antibodies support the inflammation-cancer link.

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The role of environmental estrogens and autoimmunity

Cited by 87 publications

References 96 publications

Changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations in ileal Peyer’s patches in gilts exposed to zearalenone

Changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokine concentrations in ileal Peyer’s patches in gilts exposed to zearalenone

Occurrence of Natural Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Douro River Estuary, Portugal

Estrogen’s effects in chronic autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and progression to cancer

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