title: Erionite induces production of autoantibodies and IL-17 in C57BL/6 mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erionite has similar chemical and physical properties to amphibole asbestos, which induces autoantibodies in mice. Current exposures are occurring in North Dakota due to the use of erionite-contaminated gravel. While erionite is known to cause mesothelioma and other diseases associated with asbestos, there is little known about its effects on the immune system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We performed this study to determine whether erionite evokes autoimmune reactions in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) were used to measure toxicity induced by erionite. Cytokine production by BMDM and splenocytes of C57BL/6 mice was examined by bead arrays and ELISA following exposure to erionite, amphiboles and chrysotile. Wild type C57BL/6 mice were exposed to saline, erionite, amphibole asbestos (Libby 6-Mix) or chrysotile through intratracheal instillations at equal mass (60μg/mouse). Seven months after exposure, sera were examined for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and IL-17. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect immune complex deposition in the kidneys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Erionite and tremolite caused increased cytokine production belonging to the TH17 profile including IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and TNF-α. The frequency of ANA was increased in mice treated with erionite or amphibole compared to saline-treated mice. IL-17 and TNF-α were elevated in the sera of mice treated with erionite. The frequency of immune complex deposition in the kidneys increased from 33% in saline-treated mice to 90% with erionite.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that both erionite and amphibole asbestos induce autoimmune responses in mice, suggesting a potential for adverse effects in exposed communities.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.
authors: Christian Nash
authors: CN
authors: Zebedeo
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.
authors: Chad
authors: C
authors: Davis
authors: Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, USA.
authors: Cecelia
authors: C
authors: Peña
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA.
authors: Kok Wei
authors: KW
authors: Ng
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA. Electronic address: pfaujean@isu.edu.
authors: Jean C
authors: JC
authors: Pfau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole / Q000633:toxicity; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000633:toxicity; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation; D017641:Zeolites / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D015415:Biomarkers; D020381:Interleukin-17; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C083174:erionite; D017641:Zeolites
keywords: Asbestos; Autoimmunity; Erionite; Immunotoxicology; Th17