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Genetic susceptibility and immune-mediated destruction in beryllium-induced disease.

Authors :
Fontenot AP
Maier LA
Source :
Trends in immunology [Trends Immunol] 2005 Oct; Vol. 26 (10), pp. 543-9.
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a hypersensitivity disorder caused by beryllium exposure in the workplace and is characterized by the accumulation of beryllium-specific CD4(+) T cells in the lung and granulomatous inflammation. This disorder occurs in 2-16% of exposed workers, depending on genetic susceptibility and the nature of the exposure. Susceptibility has been associated with HLA-DP alleles possessing a glutamic acid at the 69th position (Glu(69)) of the beta-chain. The mechanism for this association lies in the ability of these HLA-DP molecules to present beryllium to pathogenic CD4(+) T cells. These findings in CBD have important implications for studies in autoimmune diseases, including those in which the inciting antigen is unknown and the target organ is inaccessible.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1471-4906
Volume :
26
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Trends in immunology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
16099719
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2005.08.004