A role for cell adhesion in beryllium-mediated lung disease
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a debilitating lung disorder in which exposure to the lightweight metal beryllium (Be) causes the accumulation of beryllium-specific CD4+ T cells in the lung and formation of noncaseating pulmonary granulomas. Treatment for CBD patients who exhibit progressive pulmonary decline is limited to systemic corticosteroids, which suppress the severe host inflammatory response. Studies in the past several years have begun to highlight cell-cell adhesion interactions in the development of Be hypersensitivity and CBD. In particular, the high binding affinity between intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (I-CAM1) on lung epithelial cells and the {beta}{sub 2} integrin LFA-1 on migrating lymphocytes and macrophages regulates the concerted rolling of immune cells to sites of inflammation in the lung. In this review, we discuss the evidence that implicates cell adhesion processes in onset of Be disease and the potential of cell adhesion as an intervention point for development of novel therapies.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- OSTI ID:
- 956679
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-08-08058; LA-UR-08-8058; TRN: US201016%%2364
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Vol. 6, Issue 12; ISSN 1545-9624
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Chronic beryllium disease: Diagnosis and management
Chronic granulomatous pneumonia and lymphocytic responses induced by inhaled beryllium metal in A/J and C3H/HeJ mice