Steroid hormones, endocrine disrupting compounds and immunotoxicology

Endogenous steroid hormones and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) can significantly affect the immune responses. While it is well established that hormonal homeostasis is important for keeping a competent and healthy immune system, the impact of EDC on immunity is less studied. Accumulating evidence indicates that environmental factors, in addition to genetic factors, may contribute to immune-mediated disorders, including hypersensitivity and cancer. Steroid hormones can modulate the function of immune cells, influencing the initiation of the immune response and the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to self-antigens. Hormones, including estrogens, androgens, progestogens, and glucocorticoids may profoundly affect dendritic cells differentiation, maturation and function leading to either a pro-inflammatory or an anti-inflammatory (or tolerogenic) phenotype. If not properly regulated, these processes can lead to immunotoxicity.