Quartz Dust Exposure Affects NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Plasma Levels of IL-18 and IL-1Ra in Iron Foundry Workers

摘要: Purpose. To study the association between inhalation of particulate matter or quartz in Swedish iron foundries and effects on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Methods. Particle exposure measurements were performed during an eight-hour work day for 85 foundry workers at three foundries. Personal sampling was used measurement respirable dust stationary to obtain inhalable PM10. The markers, interleukin- (IL-) 1β IL-18, inhibitors IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) measured plasma. Inflammasome activation by caspase-1 enzymatic activity monocytes whole blood flow cytometry, expression inflammasome-related genes quantified using real-time PCR. Multiple linear regression analysis investigate associations PM exposures inflammatory markers. Sex, age, smoking, current infection, BMI, single nucleotide polymorphism regulating CARD8 (C10X) (Q705K) included as covariates. Results. average levels 0.85 0.052 mg/m3, respectively. A significant exposure-response found IL-1Ra. Whole blood, drawn from participants, stimulated ex vivo with priming stimuli LPS Pam3CSK4, resulting a 47% 49% increase monocytes. This significantly attenuated higher groups most measures. Conclusions. results indicate that environment can affect systemic inflammation.