Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, distinguished by genotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and immunotoxic effects. Especially secondary toxicity after bioactivation by microsomal monooxygenases (dependent on cytochromes P450) is characteristic of them. The immunotoxic effect is the result of very global impact on immunological reactivity of an organism and immunosuppression by induction of apoptosis of pre-B lymphocytes represents one of its particular forms. It has been proved that the effect of PAH is caused mostly by the following mechanisms: enzymatic induction by the way of activation of AhR (Aromatic hydrocarbon Receptor); alteration of cellular DNA; development of oxidative stress; increase in the concentration of intercellular calcium and decline of activity of NF-kappaB (Nuclear Factor-kappa B). Most sensitive to these changes are particularly B-lymphocytic precursors and pre-B lymphocytes. Intensity of entire manifestations is also considerably dependent on the presence and intensity of mechanisms of active or passive resistance of cells.

Charles University Prague Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové Czech Republic