Impact of exposure to silica and trichloroethylene on neutrophil activation in systemic sclerosis

ES is an EAI characterized by chronic inflammation, vascular damage, and fibrosis, whose etiology involves the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have pointed to exposure to pollutants such as SC and TCE as possible triggers of the disease, especially in occupational contexts. Within this framework, the overall objective of this project is to evaluate and compare the activation of neutrophils induced by these two agents in patients with ES and in healthy individuals.

Ten patients diagnosed with SLE classified according to the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria and followed up at the HUSI will be included, as well as 10 healthy individuals matched for age and sex, from whom neutrophils will be isolated and obtained from peripheral blood. The main mechanisms of neutrophil activation will be evaluated in vitro, including MPO-DNA complexes, citrullinated histone H3 (Cit-H3), oxidative stress, and the release of proinflammatory cytokines after controlled exposure to crystalline silica and trichloroethylene, as well as the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in serum.

The study is being conducted by a partnership between CREA at the Universidad del Rosario and HUSI. This initiative integrates basic and clinical research, and the findings from the study will advance our understanding of the immunopathogenic mechanisms linked to environmental and occupational exposure in ES and contribute to the identification of possible biomarkers of susceptibility and immune damage. In addition, the findings may be used as scientific evidence to strengthen occupational health surveillance strategies, promote the regulation of toxic agents, and support public policies aimed at preventing EAI related to environmental exposures in Colombia.

Neutrophils, NETs, autoimmunity, systemic sclerosis, silica, trichloroethylene