Journal Top Ten -- COLUMNS-Asbestos --March 2008

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TITLE: "Autoantibodies from Mice Exposed to Libby Amphibole Asbestos Bind SSA/Ro52-enriched Apoptotic Blebs of Murine Macrophages"

AUTHORS: Blake DJ, Wetzel SA, Pfau JC.

JOURNAL: Toxicology. 2008 Apr 18;246(2-3):172-9. Epub 2008 Jan 19.

SUMMARY: Asbestos exposure is associated with increased autoimmune responses in humans. For example, in Libby, MT where significant asbestos exposure has occurred due to an asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine near the community, residents have developed increased autoimmune responses compared to an unexposed population. However, the exact mechanism by which Libby amphibole asbestos generates autoimmune responses is unclear. This study supports the hypothesis that the induction …