Autoimmune ecology

In Colombia, autoimmune diseases are high-cost pathologies and a public health problem, the most common being rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren's syndrome. Autoimmune diseases are complex and multifactorial, which implies the participation of genetic and environmental factors (autoimmune ecology) for their development. In January 2019, the National Institute of Health, in its technical report on the burden of environmental disease in Colombia, established that air and water quality are the main environmental risk factors that affect the health of Colombians and that, for reduce the number of deaths in the country, "green" public policies must be promoted and an intersectoral agenda must be effectively strengthened.
This project seeks to know the biological effects of environmental contaminants involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus in Colombian individuals, through metabolomics and in vitro studies, which include the analysis of gene expression, pathways altered signaling, cytokine production, cell viability and proliferation. On the other hand, the effect of inhibitors of the
receptors for the entry of these contaminants into cells, in order to mitigate their biological effect.
The results of this research will provide solid scientific evidence of the role of environmental pollution in Colombia and its effect on the development of chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases. Likewise, this project will make it possible to issue recommendations that guide the creation of public policies in the country.