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Updated: Jun 30, 2025
The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: An underestimated risk factor for systemic lupus
Hui Jin1, Cheng Zhao1, Yiran Chen2
1Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
Objective:
To investigate the link between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) incidence and exposure to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).
Methods:
A case-control study (ChiCTR2000038187) involving 316 SLE patients and 851 healthy controls (HCs) was executed. Environmental exposure was assessed via a questionnaire, stratified by gender and age (females <35 and ≥35 years, males). Blood samples collected from 89 HCs, 85 inactive, and 95 active SLE patients were used to measure serum benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide -albumin (BPDE-Alb) adducts and PAH concentrations, indicating long-term and short-term exposure respectively. Intergroup comparisons and statistical analyses were conducted using R version 4.3.1.
Results:
Diverse patterns were found in how environmental factors affect SLE onset across different demographics. Lifestyle exposure factors were found to be a stronger determinant of SLE onset than occupational exposure factors in women under 35. Indoor air pollution had a significant impact on SLE incidence, potentially comparable to outdoor air pollution. Lifestyle-related PAH exposure had a greater impact on SLE than occupational PAH exposure. PAH exposure levels progressively increase from HCs to inactive and active SLE patients. Active SLE patients show markedly higher BPDE-Alb levels than HCs.
Conclusions:
Environmental PAH, particularly lifestyle-related, are significant, yet under-recognized, risk factors for SLE.
Statement Of Environmental Implication:
We examined the relationship between exposure to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PAH, prevalent in sources such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and charred food, pose significant health hazards. This study is the first to investigate specific PAH exposure levels in SLE patients. We determined actual PAH exposure levels in both SLE patients and healthy individuals and indicated that long-term PAH exposure biomarker is more reliable for evaluating exposure in non-occupationally exposed groups like SLE, compared to short-term markers. These findings provide valuable insights for future research on similar non-occupationally exposed populations.
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