title: Pathomechanisms and pathophysiology of isocyanate-induced diseases--summary of present knowledge.
abstract: During recent years in Western countries, diisocyanates are one of the main causes of occupational asthma. The mechanism of diisocyanate-induced asthma is still unknown but recent evidence suggests immunological mechanisms, including cell-mediated immune responses. Immune responses to isocyanates may result in different illnesses, cell- and/or antibody-mediated entities. In addition, irritative, toxic, and mutagenic effects may occur. This review summarizes current knowledge of the pathomechanisms, including immunological and nonimmunological (mutagenic and genotoxic) aspects of isocyanate disorders.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Occupational Medicine (BGFA), Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. raulf@bgfa.ruhr-uni-bochum.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raulf-Heimsoth
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Baur
mesh_terms: D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017953:Isocyanates; D007073:Immunoglobulin E