The organophosphate-induced acute-phase response is characterized by synthesis of α1-acid glycoprotein that exhibits an immunomodulatory effect

The organophosphorus compounds soman and paraoxon induce the acute‐phase (AP) response. All phases of the AP response, from macrophage activation and stimulation of glucocorticoid secretion to AP protein expression appear to be under the control of similar molecular mechanisms to those during the turpentine‐induced AP response. The AP protein content in the circulation 24 h after either soman, paraoxon or turpentine administration was injury‐specific. Both soman and paraoxon poisoning were characterized by significantly increased synthesis of α1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) that displayed an immunomodulatory effect in vitro. This result suggests that after organophosphate poisoning AGP participates in vivo in a negative feedback mechanism that prevents over‐activity of the immune system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.