Environmental agents, oxidative stress and autoimmunity

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune diseases (ADs) and many environmental agents participate in this process. Environmental agents, including trichloroethylene (TCE), silica, pristane, mercury, and smoke, are known to induce an autoimmune response, potentially through OS-mediated mechanisms. Here, we focus on unraveling the targets and signaling pathways that have been mechanistically linked with OS, as a result of exposure to these and numerous other environmental agents, and their impact on the immune system in triggering ADs. Antioxidants and molecular targets impeding autoimmunity by targeting specific signaling pathways are also reviewed. The review not only provides an overview of the current knowledge and evidence showing strong associations between environmental exposures, OS, and ADs, but also plausible mechanisms by which OS causes autoimmunity/ADs. We also discuss areas that require additional approaches, such as unraveling specific events/mechanisms leading to such devastating diseases and measures to prevent or attenuate such diseases.

Environmental Exposures and Autoimmune Diseases: Contribution of Gut Microbiome

“…Environmental agent-mediated OS is pivotal in the pathogenesis of ADs and many such agents indeed participate through this mechanism. More in-depth studies to delineate the molecular and cellular pathways by which OS contributes to autoimmunity, especially the redox-immune interactions, ROS scavenger antioxidants, and exploring OS-mediated protein/DNA modifications in generating neoantigens, will provide critical information on OSmediated autoimmunity (7).…”

“…The environmental factors account for up to 70% of all ADs (1,6). Strong evidence exists linking environmental agents, including solvents, crystalline silica, mercury, pesticides, pristine, and cigarette smoking with the development of various ADs (7). However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding potential cellular, molecular, and immunological mechanisms by which environmental agents contribute to the disease pathogenesis.…”

Bioactive compounds from Syzygium malaccense leaves: optimization of the extraction process, biological and chemical characterization

“…Compounds with antioxidant abilities have attracted the interest of researchers as well as pharmaceutical and food companies because they can offer human health benefits. The benefits include free radical scavenging capacity and interruption of oxidative processes, which can contribute to preventing human disease conditions (Khan & Wang, 2018). In addition to the interest in natural antioxidants, numerous research studies are being developed around the world seeking new antimicrobial agents derived from natural sources for applications in food products and in the formulation of new antibiotics (Saucedo-Pompa et al, 2018).…”

Contribution of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 activation and apoptosis in trichloroethene-mediated autoimmunity

“…8-OHdG is one of the most widely recognized biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage (Cheah et al, 2017; Di Minno et al, 2016; Tatsch et al, 2015; Wu et al, 2005; Zhang et al, 2017). Previous studies have shown that TCE exposure enhances ROS generation and promotes oxidative stress, evidenced both in vivo and in vitro (Channel et al, 1998; Khan et al, 2001; Khan and Wang, 2018; Ogino et al, 1991; Wang et al, 2007, 2009, 2012; Zhu et al, 2005). To further evaluate the contribution of TCE-mediated oxidative stress in the induction/exacerbation of an autoimmune response, 8-OHdG formation in the livers of MRL+/+ mice exposed to TCE, NAC or TCE+NAC was quantitated.…”