http://research.cals.cornell.edu/entity?home=6&id=16452

mercury is ubiquitous!

This study seeks to identify the effects that low level in utero and adult exposure to mercury has on the functioning of the immune system with a particular emphasis on immunomodulation leading to autoimmunity and autoimmune disease.

Issue
Mercury is a ubiquitous contaminant in our environment and represents a particular risk to the developing fetus since high levels of mercury concentrate in the cord blood. The developing immune system is exquisitely sensitive to mercury and at the present time, we do not know the consequences of this exposure, and its potential long term effects on the health of the adult.

Response
We are exposing mice in utero and as adults to levels of mercury common to human exposure levels and identifying the changes in immune repertoire and function that result as a consequence of this exposure. We ultimately seek to identify whether these changes lead to increased autoimmunity and autoimmune disease, as has been suggested anecdotally, or in altered responses to infectious agents, as well as the mechanisms that are involved.

Impact
No changes have occurred yet, but our goal is to ultimately identify environmental modulators of immune responses and the potential risks associated with exposure to them.

Funding Sources
Private (e.g., commodity groups, foundations, companies)
several grants are pending
Collaborators
SUNY Upstate Medical University, Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Pathology, Syracuse, NY
University of Rochester School of Medicine, Department of Environmental Medicine,Rochester, NY
Key Personnel
Allen Silverstone, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Syracuse, New York
Michael McCabe, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Department of Environmental Medicine,Rochester, New York
Arthur Tatum, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Pathology, Syracuse, New York