Metals and disorders of cell accumulation: Modulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation

As a class of agents, toxic metals are a concern of the highest priority for human exposure. The metals have a vast array of remarkably adverse effects, including those of carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. Apoptotic cell death should be considered as an ongoing, normal event in the control of cell populations. However, apoptosis can also be induced by a variety of toxicants, including many of the toxic inorganics, resulting in the loss of affected cell populations. Understanding the mechanisms by which metals induce disorders of cell accumulation will be important in defining their toxic potentials in exposed populations. In an attempt to illuminate some of the most recent developments in metal-induced disorders of cell accumulation, a symposium on this topic was held at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology.