title: [Wegener's disease and exposure to silica. Study of the physiopathological mechanisms].
abstract: CRYSTALLINE SILICA: Crystalline silica is an abundant mineral found in multiple occupational exposures. It is a recognised occupational risk factor for some systemic auto-immune diseases such as progressive systemic scleroderma and Caplan-Colinet's syndrome, or just suspected in Goujerot-Sjögren's syndrome, periarteritis nodosa and systemic lupus erythematosus. WEGENER'S GRANULOMATOSIS: A rare disease of unknown of unknown aetiology, the disease is characterised by granulomatous vasculitis affecting the upper respiratory tracks, lungs and kidneys, associated with glomerulonephropathy. THE ROLE OF SILICA PARTICLES: Studies have shown that crystalline silica may be implied in Wegener's disease. Associated with other factors, notably with a genetic predisposal, silica particles might, through the release of reactive oxygen radicals and inflammatory cytokines, trigger-off immunopathological mechanisms. The latter would be manifested by exocytosis of the proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase antigens on the surface of the polynuclear neutrophils.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Timone.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moulin
authors.forename: Marie-Pascale
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lehucher-Michel
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012822:Silicon Dioxide