Silicosis, a lung disease characteristic of miners, is on the rise in certain occupations in the industrial sector. French and Turkish researchers have found a therapeutic lead.
Silicosis, a disease that destroys the lungs of miners, has never disappeared. The disease has appeared in other workers such as those who work with pressurized sand, shale gas or certain artificial stones.
French and Turkish researchers have found a therapeutic avenue to treat this disease. Their results are published in the journal NatureCommunications.
#silicosis a 21st century disease at the center of work on #inflammation #pulmonary of #INEM @Univ_Orleans https://t.co/QWbgWwDCkt
– CNRS Center Limousin Poitou-Charentes (@DR08_CNRS) December 6, 2018
Destruction of airway cells
CNRS researchers from the University of Orléans, with the collaboration of Turkish doctors, have studied the impact and origins of the disease. Silicosis is caused by inhaling a material called silica.
These particles stress and destroy the cells of the airways, which causes chronic inflammation and then fibrosis, when the lung tissue is transformed into scar tissue. The disease seriously damages the respiratory capacities, and is most often incurable, unless new lungs are transplanted to the patient.
Sick men in the textile industry
The researchers found that when a mouse is exposed to silica, dead cells release DNA into the airways. This activates signaling pathways called “STING pathways” and this process causes lung inflammation, which then turns into silicosis.
These observations have also been made in young men in Turkey who work in the textile industry to make “rock-washed” jeans. Silica inhalation is linked to the use of sand propellants for jeans.
An enzyme can suppress lung inflammation
Scientists have found that by introducing an enzyme capable of eliminating this DNA, it is possible to suppress inflammation. The treatment called DNAse I is already used to treat cystic fibrosis.
These results could help find a viable treatment for the disease. Today tens of millions of people are affected by silicosis throughout the world.
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