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Immunologic mechanisms in hypersensitivity reactions to metal ions: an overview
Author(s) -
Büdinger Lioba,
Hertl Michael,
Büdinger Lioba
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00107.x
Subject(s) - metal ions in aqueous solution , hapten , contact dermatitis , immune reaction , allergic contact dermatitis , metal , immune system , ionic bonding , population , chemistry , immunology , dermatology , medicine , ion , allergy , antibody , organic chemistry , environmental health
Metal ions such as Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , or Cr 3+ are haptens with a high immunogenic potential, as contact dermatitis caused by ionic metals occurs in about 10–15% of the human population. Since alloys containing Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , and Cr 3+ are components of implants in replacement surgery, dentures, orthodontic wires, and various other devices, adverse reactions to metal ions create serious problems in practical medicine as incompatibility reactions to metal‐containing biomaterials. On the other hand, contact dermatitis to metal ions such as Ni 2+ is a well‐established model for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the recognition of haptens by the immune system. Although many investigations have been performed to elucidate the molecular interactions causing contact hypersensitivity in man, many aspects remain to be clarified. This review will focus on the experimental data accumulated so far on the immunologic mechanisms responsible for the recognition of metal ions by T cells and eliciting adverse immune reactions causing contact dermatitis.