Environmental Influences on the Immune System

Charlotte Esser is Professor of Immunology and group leader at the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (IUF) in Düsseldorf, Germany. Her Research focuses on the adverse or beneficial consequences that low molecular weight substances (such as environmental toxins or dietary supplements) have on function and differentiation of the immune system in mice and men. A main focus lies on the analysis of the arylhydrocarbon receptor.

Preface.- Principal players and structure of the immune system.- Immunosuppression by UV-irradiation.- "Eat your veggies"  How food-derived AhR ligands are necessary for the development of a functioning gut immune system.- The "Hygiene Theory" - how the immune system learns its balance by exposure to the right bacteria.- Immunotoxicity of dioxins.-   Toxic dust and the immune system.- Adrenalin, cortisol and Co: Stress and the immune system.- Immunity and depression: Does inflammation affect our mood?- Diabetes and low-level persistent inflammation caused by the environment.- Mechanisms of major immunosuppressive drugs.- The immune system in the young.- Immunity and age - exhaustion of repertoire by immune experience.- Major research models.- Epigenetic imprinting influences on the immune competence.- Contact allergy and life-style.- Chemicals breaking tolerance leading to allergies and autoimmunity.- The challenge of predicting immunotoxic potential of chemicals.- Environmental pollution and industrial accidents such as Bhopal- a human rights perspective.