[The environment and autoimmunity--from external causes to inner conflicts].

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Environmental Health
• Investigates the complex interplay between environmental exposures and the immune system's self-tolerance mechanisms.

Context:

• Autoimmune diseases arise from a loss of immunologic tolerance, with unknown triggers in most cases.
• Genetic susceptibility and environmental factors are implicated, supported by twin studies and disease clustering after xenobiotic exposure.

Purpose:

• To review evidence linking environmental agents to the initiation and progression of autoimmune conditions.
• To discuss the role of xenobiotics and potential environmental triggers in autoimmune disease etiology.

Summary:

• Identifies various xenobiotics (e.g., mercury, solvents, UV radiation) associated with human autoimmune diseases.
• Highlights historical epidemics like eosinophilic myalgia syndrome and toxic oil syndrome as examples of environmental triggers.
• Examines the possibility of environmental estrogens contributing to autoimmune disorders, though research is in early stages.

Impact:

• Underscores the growing importance of environmental health due to worldwide environmental deterioration.
• Emphasizes the need for further research into the early stages of hazard identification for environmental agents and autoimmunity.
• Suggests that understanding these links is crucial for public health and preventing autoimmune conditions.