Tungsten effects on B lymphocyte development.

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Tungsten is represented by the letter “W” on the periodic table right below molybdenum (Mo) and chromium. W is increasing used in modern technology. Tungsten is light-weight, yet flexible and strong. Tungsten is now used in the manufacture of many goods including light bulbs, computers, ammunitions, construction equipment, and medical devices, such as radiation shields and arterial stents. Tungsten is mined along with several other metals, and the second largest tungsten mining operation is found in Canada. The increased usage of tungsten means that more is mined and that environmental contamination is increasing. My research group and others have shown that tungsten alters the immune response. We have described that tungsten alters the development of B lymphocytes, the immune cells that produce antibody, within the bone marrow. We find that a particular stage in development is increased. We now propose experiments to define the gene expression changes that lead to increased B lymphocytes and determine whether tungsten alter the function of mature B lymphocytes. Does tungsten alter the normal response of B lymphocytes to antigen? Finally, enzymes that require molybdenum as a co-factor may be inhibited by tungsten. Thus, we will determine whether addition of molybdenum can reverse the effects of tungsten on B lymphocytes.