- Author:
Akiko TOMOKUNI
1
;
Takemi OTSUKI
;
Haruko SAKAGUCHI
;
Yumika ISOZAKI
;
Fuminori HYODOH
;
Masayasu KUSAKA
;
Ayako UEKI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: apoptosis; autoantibody; autoimmunity; silicosis; topoisomerase I
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2002;7(1):7-10
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study was to detect anti-topoisomerase I (anti-topo I) autoantibodies, which are known to be limited in systemic sclerosis patients, in silicosis patients with no clinical symptoms of autoimmune disease.
METHODSSerum anti-topo I autoantibodies were detected using ELISA. Differences in clinical parameters between patients with and without anti-topo I autoantibodies were analyzed.
RESULTSSeven of 69 patients had anti-topo I autoantibodies. These 7 patients showed elevated PaCO(2) values (P=0.0212), and inverse correlations between serum soluble Fas levels and PaCO(2) values were found.
CONCLUSIONAnti-topo I autoantibodies were detected in 10.1% of silicosis patients without any clinical symptoms of autoimmune disease. The findings here suggest that the genesis of anti-topo I autoantibodies might be related to pulmonary involvement or lung fibrosis associated with progression of silicosis.