Discovery of Blood-Based Proteins That Mark Benzo[a]pyrene Modulation of Autoimmunity.

ABSTRACT: Environmental pollutants are thought to shape our immune landscape and drive the rise in autoimmune disease incidence worldwide. However, the molecular underpinnings of environmental impact on autoimmunity remain elusive and a quantitative measurement for immune dysfunction as a result of environmental exposure is yet to be developed. To this end, we have performed a discovery study to identify blood-based, immune-associated proteins regulated by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) using the autoimmune-prone murine model MRL. We report the upregulation of autoimmune-associated cytokines including IL1a and IFNg by BaP, months before the manifestation of autoimmune phenotypes. Additionally, the increased levels of proteins such as IL16, IL22 and SNCA in male MRL mice upon BaP exposure may be a molecular li

SUBMITTER: Kennicott K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12565278 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature