TY - JOUR
T1 - Lymphocyte activation in silica-exposed workers
AU - Rocha-Parise, Michelle
AU - Santos, Leonilda M. B.
AU - Damoiseaux, Jan G. M. C.
AU - Bagatin, Ericson
AU - Lido, Alessandro V.
AU - Torello, Cristiane Okuda
AU - Cohen Tervaert, Jan W.
AU - Queiroz, Mary L. S.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - 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-gamma, IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, IL-6) as well as anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-beta) 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.
AB - 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-gamma, IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, IL-6) as well as anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-beta) 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.
KW - Lymphocytes
KW - Soluble IL-2 receptor alpha
KW - Interleukin-2
KW - Silica
KW - Cytokines
KW - Autoimmunity
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.11.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.11.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 24332681
SN - 1438-4639
VL - 217
SP - 586
EP - 591
JO - International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
JF - International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
IS - 4-5
ER -