title: Antigen-presenting cells under the influence of alcohol.
abstract: The negative influence of alcohol (ethanol) and its metabolites on innate and adaptive immunity is well-recognized. Much attention has recently been focused on the impact of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on antigen-presenting cells (APC). In particular, insights have been gained into how the properties of human blood monocytes and rodent macrophages are influenced by alcohol in vitro and in vivo. Here, we review the impact of alcohol on various aspects of APC function and the underlying mechanisms, including its effects on intracellular signaling events. We also discuss new information regarding the influence of alcohol on various APC populations in the liver, a primary site of alcohol metabolism.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, BST W1540, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Audrey H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Gyongyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.forename: Angus W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D000431:Ethanol