title: Developmental immunotoxicology: emerging issues.
abstract: While the history of immunotoxicology research involving experimental animals of immature ages dates back over several decades, there exist remarkably little data, to date, directly comparing the impact of developmental status on immunotoxicological risk. Given the size of the nonadult human population and the potential for differential vulnerability among the various ages, this represents a serious gap of knowledge in efforts to minimize environmentally linked health risks. This article frames the issues surrounding developmental immunotoxicological evaluations. In particular, the issues introduced include those of potential animal models, strain/genotype selection, gender, age of exposure, and age of assessment. Recent research results involving early exposure to lead (Pb) and other chemicals are discussed to highlight the nature of the decisions that are available and the potential cost-benefit associated with various approaches to evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. rrd1@cornell.edu
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dietert
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Bunn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000592:standards; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances