Occupational and environmental exposures as risk factors for systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Although genetic susceptibility plays a strong role in the etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), recent research has provided new evidence of the potential influence of environmental factors in the risk for this disease. This paper describes epidemiologic and experimental research pertaining to occupational and environmental sources of exposure to respirable crystalline silica, solvents and pesticides, and two "lifestyle" factors (smoking and hair dye use). As has been seen with other systemic autoimmune diseases (eg, systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis), a series of epidemiologic studies, using different designs in different settings, have demonstrated relatively strong and consistent associations between occupational silica exposure and SLE. The type and quality of exposure assessment is an important consideration in evaluating these studies. Recent experimental studies examined the effect of trichloroethylene exposure in MRL+/+ mice, but to date there have been few epidemiologic studies of solvents and SLE. There are numerous avenues with respect to environmental factors in SLE that need additional research.

Acute myeloid leukemia developing in patients with autoimmune diseases

“…These include cigarette smoking, infection, hair treatment, hormonal treatment, occupational exposures, drugs and psychosocial stressors. [11][12][13] Together with reports on families and twins, these studies indicate that ADs may also result from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. [14][15][16][17][18][19] Clinically, ADs are classified into systemic and localized organ specific forms.…”

Environmental factors producing autoimmune dysregulation – Chronic activation of T cells caused by silica exposure

“…There are several autoimmune diseases caused by exposure to environmental and/or occupational substances (Anderson 1971;Mayes 1999;Cooper et al 2002;Moore and Miller 2002;Cooper and Parks 2004). Silica (SiO 2 ) is the most well-known environmental and occupational factor producing dysregulation of autoimmunity (Uber and McReynolds 1982;Steenland and Goldsmith 1995;Iannello et al 2002).…”

Immunological alterations found in mesothelioma patients and supporting experimental evidence

“…Silica is known to be one of the most hazardous environmental substances in terms of causing autoimmunity dysfunction [4][5][6]. Silicosis patients often develop immunological complications, such as rheumatic arthritis (known as Caplan syndrome; [7][8][9], systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematoses (SLE).…”