Infiltrates of some type of lymphocytes surrounding the main lesions, activation of RNAm for certain interleukins and the presence of specific HLA specially associated with patients deceased of TOS justify the hypothesis of an autoimmune mechanism involved.

On the other hand, the presence of a specific gen that codes enzymes with a high likelihood of being involved in the metabolism of the substances strengthen the idea on individual susceptibility and of the different responses observed in patients.

del Pozo V, de Andres B, Gallardo S, et al. Cytokine mRNA expression in lung tissue from toxic oil syndrome patients: a TH2 immunological mechanism. Toxicology 1997;118(1):61-70.

Cardaba B, Gallardo S, Del Pozo V, Ezendam J, Izquierdo M, Martin C,Cortegano I, Aceituno E, Rojo M, Arriete I, Palomono P, Posada de la Paz M, Lahoz C. DR2 antigens are associated with severity of disease in Toxic Oil Syndrome (TOS). 2000. Tissue Antigens, 2000. 55(2): 110-117.