title: Pulmonary fibrosis and ferruginous bodies associated with exposure to synthetic fibers.
abstract: Exposure to synthetic fibers with employment in textile mills can be associated with an elevated risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD). A mechanism of injury has not been determined. ILD can follow exposures to inorganic fibers (e.g., asbestos) which are associated with a mobilization of iron and catalysis of an oxidative stress. We describe 2 patients with ILD associated with exposure to synthetic textile fibers who demonstrated carbon-based ferruginous bodies suggesting an in vivo accumulation of iron by synthetic fibers after deposition in the lung. These iron-laden bodies varied from perfectly linear fibers to almost particulate matter. Linear structures were irregularly interrupted by deposition of iron-abundant material. The capacity of these synthetic fibers to complex iron and generate an oxidative stress is confirmed in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Branch, Human Studies Division, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA. ghio.andy@epa.gov
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ghio
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Funkhouser
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.forename: Scot
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.forename: Jacqueline G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Stonehuerner
authors.forename: Annabelle M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mahar
authors.forename: Victor L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Roggli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002482:Cellulose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016877:Oxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010316:Particle Size; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013783:Textile Industry; D013784:Textiles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons; D016877:Oxidants; D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified; D007501:Iron