CHAPTER 17. Immune System Disorders

Abstract

Immune system disorders are not restricted only to diseases affecting the primary and secondary lymphoid organs (e.g., thymus, spleen). Because immune cells are resident in virtually every tissue and organ, where they provide multi-functional roles, the status of these cells impacts the functional status and potential for pathology throughout the body. Virtually no tissue is free from the diseases stemming from immune system disorders. Immune cells are impacted by a wide variety of environmental factors and environmentally-induced immune insult can result in both persistent and pervasive adverse outcomes. Target systems for immune-mediated diseases include the neurological, gastrointestinal, renal, cardiovascular, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal, hepatic, dermal, endocrine, and excretory systems. This chapter describes the association of many, if not most, chronic diseases affecting children and adults with immune dysfunction and/or inflammatory misregulation. An added risk is that environmentally-induced immune dysfunction rarely results in only a single disease or condition across a lifetime. Once a chronic disease cycle is initiated, multiple comorbidities is likely. In fact, there are predictable patterns of chronic diseases that are associated with the aging process following environmentally-induced immune insult. Environmental risk factors, immune dysfunction, and the aging process all contribute toward the pathways leading to immune-mediated chronic diseases. One part of the solution involves extensive and relevant immunotoxicity testing of chemicals and drugs and improved public health protection of children. A second part of the solution involves correction of underlying immune-inflammatory misregulation among those with chronic diseases. The overall goal is reduced prevalence of non-communicable diseases.