Immunomodulatory and immunotoxic effect of pesticides under condition of viral infection

From a global point of view, pesticides are among the main pollutants of the environment. Animal and human exposure to pesticides is mainly through contaminated water and food. It is most often a case of subchronic intoxication, the result of which can be immunosuppression and its consequences. One of the focal points of the project is the in vitro study at the level of myelotoxicity and lymphotoxicity. Subchronic intoxication may not have signs of immunosuppression, but the receptor characteristics of cells may be affected, which is also the subject of study on the model of virus-cell interaction and antigen recognition. This applies to receptors of natural resistance (toll-like receptors) and antigen-specific immune response. In addition to cells of the immune system, the study will also include cell cultures derived from organs often exposed to cytotoxic action, such as the liver and kidneys. The goal of the project is to study the mechanisms of action of subcytotoxic concentrations of current pesticides in conditions of viral infection at the functional and molecular level.