ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS: INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE AND NERVOUS SYSTEMS (EDoNIS)

Endocrine disruptors (ED) are natural and anthropogenic chemicals that can interfere with the hormone systems and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immunological effects in mammals. Not always fully considered and appreciated is the fact that ED may compete with several endogenous hormones for multiple receptors and pathways, resulting in a complex response that depends on the cellular context in terms of receptors and interacting proteins and, thus, may differ between tissues and circumstances. Microglia, neurons and other immune cells are potential targets and underappreciated actors in endocrine disruption. This project is designed to better understand the effects of ED on immune and nervous systems using both in vitro and in vivo models. Chemicals will be selected for their affinity (agonist/antagonist) to the androgen, estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors, and will be tested individually and in mixture. As approach, the selected chemicals will be mixed at concentrations found in humans to highlight additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects. This project is based on a consortium consisting of a unique combination of experimental and molecular biologists, which will guarantee the achievement of objectives appropriately.