Ellen Silbergeld
Brazil
School of Medicine, MD program
This study proposes to investigate the association of mercury exposure with markers of autoimmunity, hypertension and cardiovascular function in 450 individuals exposed to a wide range of mercury concentrations through fish consumption.Mercury compounds have been extensively studied for their immunotoxic properties in animal models. In mice and rats, mercury exposure induces altered immune function and can accelerate autoimmune diseases similar to systemic lupus erythematosus. Associations between mercury exposures and autoimmune disease in humans (SLE and scleroderma) have also been reported. Recent studies have found elevated titers of specific autoantibodies (antinuclear autoantibodies – ANA; and antinucleolar autoantibodies – ANoA) in persons with mercury exposure.
In Para, Brazil we will examine indicators of immune system activation that have been associated with mercury exposure (ANA, ANoA) and others which we hypothesize might be. We have selected antibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis for their fairly high population prevalence. Additionally, we will measure antiphospholipid antibodies as contributors to both arterial and venous thrombosis, and therefore more than just biomarkers for autoimmune disease. Substantial evidence exists in other populations that inflammation, which results from immune system activation, contributes to atherosclerosis. We will be measuring markers of inflammation (CRP and sICAM) to see if these are associated with cardiovascular disease in this Brazilian population. The autoimmunity antibodies are not thought to be associated with atherosclerosis, but we hypothesize that these antibodies could be in the causal pathway between mercury exposure and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. >> See all Spring 2006 Framework Award winners
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