Advances in molecular immunotoxicology of occupational asthma induced by low molecular weight chemicals.

The paper reviews the literature reports on low molecular weight (LMW) sensitizers that are commonly encountered in the work environment as well as on the major mechanisms responsible for their effect on the immune cells of the respiratory tract. Current studies have focused on: LMW-antigens; the role of airway epithelial and dendritic cells (DCs); activation of naive helper T (Th) cells by DCs; naive B cell-effector Th2 cell interactions; and activation of mast cells by LMW asthmogens. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of occupational asthma due to LMW asthmogens should facilitate the development of better diagnostics and the improvement of strategies for disease surveillance and intervention.