Pneumoconiosis (silicosis)

Patients with silicosis in general are also noted to have alterations in immunity, with a recent article noting alterations in soluble interleukin 2 (sIL2) receptors in these patients. The mechanisms for the biological effects of silica are still not fully understood. Crystalline silica may act as an immunoadjuvant. When phagocytized by macrophages silica particles cause the release of inflammatory mediators that activate more macrophages and lymphocytes, which in turn increase the production of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes involved in the degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Another proposed mechanism is that silica causes defective apoptosis leading to the prolonged survival of pathogenic lymphocytes and the development of silica-associated systemic lupus. Silica exposure may theoretically be linked to other environmental exposures that may themselves be related to the increased possibility of developing CTD. For example, smoking in conjunction with silica exposure has been reported to be a risk factor for the development of radiographic changes of silicosis and smoking has been reported to be a risk factor for the development of CTD, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Scleroderma Lung Disease – Other Lung Complications in Systemic Sclerosis: Maria do Socorro Teixeira Moreira Almeida Journal of Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine welcomes articles related to "Pneumoconiosis"

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Last date updated on April, 2024