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. Objectives 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 (60 μg/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 kidneys. Results Erionite and tremolite caused increased cytokine production belonging to the TH17 profile including IL-17, IL-6, TGFβ, 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 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.

Differential Susceptibility of Human Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells to Asbestos Exposure

“…These reports indicate that factors released by asbestos exposure to mesothelial cells may exert their biological/pathological effects via IL‐17. Moreover, in addition to indirect role of asbestos in IL‐17 stimulation, there are two recent reports indicating that both erionite and amphibole asbestos induce the production of IL‐17 in mice after 7–8 months of exposure [Ferro and Zebedeo, ; Zebedeo and Davis, ]. No evidence of IL‐17 gene expression in response to asbestos exposure in the present experiment could be attributed due to the short time point (8 h) of asbestos exposure as compared to 7–8 months in the published literature.…”

Selective inhibitory effects of 50-nm gold nanoparticles on mouse macrophage and spleen cells

“…To investigate the effect of AuNP on the adaptive immune system, mouse splenocytes were prepared as previously described (Zebedeo et al, 2014). In brief, spleens were harvested from C57BL/6 mice into PBS (1 ml sterile PBS/spleen) and mincing the tissue between frosted ends of glass slides.…”

Emerging roles of T helper 17 and regulatory T cells in lung cancer progression and metastasis

“…In mice, intratracheal exposure to chrysotile asbestos induces a pattern of chronic inflammation associated with Th1 cytokines, while amphibole asbestos exposure induces both a Th1 and Th17 cytokine response [28]. Additionally, it has been shown that tremolite and erionite (a fiber with similar characteristics to amphibole asbestos) exposure caused increased IL-17 in splenocyte cultures, and erionite exposure induced elevated serum IL-17 levels in mice [29]. …”