US EPA

809044 

Journal Article 

Review 

Review: Air pollution in autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A review 

Farhat, SCL; Silva, CA; Orione, MAM; Campos, LMA; Sallum, AME; Braga, ALF 

2011 

Yes 

Autoimmunity Reviews
ISSN: 1568-9972
EISSN: 1873-0183 

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV 

AMSTERDAM 

11 

1 

14-21 

English 

21763467 

10.1016/j.autrev.2011.06.008 

WOS:000297896700003 

Air pollution consists of a heterogeneous mixture of gasses and particles that include carbon monoxide, nitrates, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, toxic by-product of tobacco smoke and particulate matter. Oxidative stress and inflammation induced by inhaled pollutants may result in acute and chronic disorders in the respiratory system, as well as contribute to a state of systemic inflammation and autoimmunity. This paper reviews the mechanisms of air contaminants influencing the immune response and autoimmunity, and it focuses on studies of inhaled pollutants triggering and/or exacerbating rheumatic diseases in cities around the world. Remarkably, environmental factors contribute to the onset of autoimmune diseases, especially smoking and occupational exposure to silica in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Other diseases such as scleroderma may be triggered by the inhalation of chemical solvents, herbicides and silica. Likewise, primary vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) may be triggered by silica exposure. Only few studies showed that air pollutants could trigger or exacerbate juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In contrast, no studies of tropospheric pollution triggering inflammatory myopathies and spondyloarthropathies were carried out. In conclusion, air pollution is one of the environmental factors involved in systemic inflammation and autoimmunity. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate air pollutants and their potentially serious effects on autoimmune rheumatic diseases and the mechanisms involved in the onset and the exacerbation of these diseases. 

Air pollution;Tropospheric pollutants;Systemic inflammation;Immune response;Autoimmunity 

01