Do chemical carcinogens such as PAHs induce highly antigenic molecules when given to mammals such as mice?

It appears from the quote below that PAHs are metabolized very quickly in the body of mice, so PAHs must NOT induce highly antigenic molecules when given to mammals such as mice. But you be the judge, see the quote below and the source below for specifics.





Very little information is available on the immunological effects of other PAHs. Mice treated with high doses of dibenz[a,h]anthracene exhibited a reduced serum antibody level in response to antigenic


challenge by comparison to controls (Malmgren et al. 1952). The immunosuppressive effects of dibenz[a,h]anthracene were studied in AHH-inducible mice (C57BL/6) and AHH-noninducible mice (DBA/2N) by intraperitoneal and oral administration (Lubet et al. 1984). Immunosuppression occurred in both strains and was more pronounced in the C57BL/6 mice than in the DBA/2N mice, following


intraperitoneal administration. However, the DBA/2N mice were more susceptible to immunosuppression following oral administration. These results suggest that PAHs are rapidly metabolized and excreted following oral administration in AHH-inducible mice, whereas in AHH-noninducible mice, the PAHs are absorbed and distributed to target organs. Based on these results, the authors concluded that AHH inducibility plays an important role in the immunosuppressive


activity of PAHs.

one web hosting