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Program Description

A T cell is one type of immune cell responsible for protecting the body from disease and infection.

A T cell is one type of immune cell responsible for protecting the body from disease and infection.
(Photo courtesy of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Our immune system is made of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend our bodies and protect against disease. Environmental exposures, like some pesticides, metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and other chemicals can harm the function and effectiveness of the immune system. In turn, this may increase susceptibility to infection, reduce response to vaccinations, and trigger autoimmune responses.

What Is NIEHS Doing?

NIEHS supports research in the field of immunotoxicology and immunoepidemiology, which explores how toxic environmental exposures may alter immune system function using toxicological or epidemiological methods, respectively. For example, NIEHS-funded researchers are studying:

NIEHS is also interested in examining the effect of childhood infections on the body’s response to environmental contaminants later in life, as well as possible impacts of environmental exposures on subsequent infections. For example, scientists are examining how air pollution affects immune response to respiratory viral infection, as well as exploring how exposure to TCDD, a type of dioxin, can suppress immune T cell response to staph infection, and how that epigenetic vulnerability can be passed from parent to child for multiple generations.

Autoimmune Diseases

There is growing evidence suggesting environmental exposures may also contribute to autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks normal, healthy tissues and organs in the body. Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and psoriasis are just a few examples of autoimmune diseases.

NIEHS-funded researchers examine the role environmental exposures play in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, and the biological mechanisms involved. For example, NIEHS-supported scientists study the relationship between early life exposures and eosinophilic esophagitis, and how toxicant-triggered autoimmune disease can be prevented by modifying the intake of dietary lipids. Another project is exploring how trichloroethylene (TCE) drives cell differentiation in a certain type of white blood cell, which can stimulate autoimmunity and possibly other hypersensitivity disorders.

For additional information on what NIEHS grant recipients are doing, visit our Who We Fund tool.

Program Leads

Mike Humble, Ph.D.
Mike Humble, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator, Basic Science
Tel 984-287-3272
[email protected]
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop K3-15
Durham, NC 27709
Bonnie R. Joubert, Ph.D.
Bonnie R. Joubert, Ph.D.
Health Scientist Administrator
Tel 984-287-3276
[email protected]
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop K3-12
Durham, NC 27709