Research advances on silica dust induced-autoimmune diseases and its mechanism / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

Silica dust is one of the main occupational hazards in various industries. In addition to causing occupational silicosis, silica dust can also stimulate innate and acquired immunity and induce autoimmune diseases(AID) such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis. Silica dust exposure can induce changes in the levels of autoantibodies in vivo, such as rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, ANCA, anti-centromere antibody, anti-topoisomerase Ⅰ antibody, anti-desmoglein antibody, anti-centromere antigens-B antibody, anti-carbamylated protein antibody, anti-smooth muscle antibody and anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody. At present, the mechanism of autoimmune disorders induced by silica dust has not yet been fully elucidated. The current research suggests that it is related to cell apoptosis of alveolar macrophages, the disorder of the Fas/Fas ligand system, the imbalance of T cell proportion, and the dysregulation of T helper cell(Th) 1 and Th2 type cytokines homeostasis. Understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders induced by silica dust and exploring possible therapeutic targets will provide new ideas for the treatment of silicosis.