Abstract
It is difficult to interpret the biological relevance of alterations in particular immune parameters, such as a decrease in natural killer activity or a reduction in spleen weight, unless the alteration is assessed within the context of a functional immune system. Host resistance assays allow such an interpretation, as the models employed allow defects in specific parameters to be viewed in the overall context of host recovery from an immunologic challenge. Thus, a deficit in one particular mechanism, mediator, or cell type may not translate into impaired host resistance due to the redundancies inherent in the immunological compartment. In the immunotoxicity testing paradigm, the host resistance assay allows for an assessment of various drugs, therapeutics, environmental agents, and chemicals with regard to potential effects on global functional immunocompetence.
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