Lymphocyte activation in silica-exposed workers

Exposure to silica dust has been examined as a possible risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ANCA-associated vasculitis. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms resulting in the increased prevalenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hygiene and environmental health 2014-04, Vol.217 (4-5), p.586-591
Main Authors: Rocha-Parise, Michelle, Santos, Leonilda M.B., Damoiseaux, Jan G.M.C., Bagatin, Ericson, Lido, Alessandro V., Torello, Cristiane Okuda, Cohen Tervaert, Jan W., Queiroz, Mary L.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding
Autoimmunity
Biological and medical sciences
Brazil
Cell Proliferation
Cytokines
Environment. Living conditions
Environmental Pollutants - toxicity
Female
Humans
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-2 - metabolism
Leukocytes, Mononuclear - cytology
Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects
Lymphocyte Activation
Lymphocytes
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Occupational Exposure
Occupational medicine
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Receptors, Interleukin-2 - blood
Silica
Silicon Dioxide - toxicity
Soluble IL-2 receptor alpha
Toxicology
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Summary:Exposure to silica dust has been examined as a possible risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ANCA-associated vasculitis. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms resulting in the increased prevalence of autoimmunity remain elusive. To clarify these mechanisms, we studied various markers of immune activation in individuals occupationally exposed to silica dust, i.e., serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), levels of IL-2, other pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and lymphoproliferation. Our results demonstrate that silica-exposed individuals present important alterations in their immune response when compared to controls, as shown by increased serum sIL-2R levels, decreased production of IL-2 and increased levels of the pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ, IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-6) as well as anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines. Furthermore, silica-exposed individuals presented enhanced lymphoproliferative responses. Our findings provide evidence that the maintenance of immune homeostasis may be disturbed in silica-exposed individuals, possibly resulting in autoimmune disorders.
ISSN:1438-4639
1618-131X
DOI:10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.11.002