title: The role of heavy metals in autoimmunity.
abstract: Our understanding of autoimmune diseases has progressed tremendously in the past 20 years. Estimates of the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the population may be 4% or higher. It is evident that heavy metals present serious risk to human health. Heavy metals are capable of altering the immune response; they have been implicated in influencing autoimmunity. In fact, they are usually inhibitory to immune cell proliferation and activation. This paper reviews the possible mechanisms which may play a role in metal-induced autoimmunity. A better understanding of these interactions remains a priority for the future.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cojocaru
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chicoş
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy