Is individual genetic susceptibility a link between silica exposure and development or severity of silicosis? A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Silicosis is a lung disease of fibrotic nature resulting from the inhalation and deposition of dust containing crystalline silica. Subjects exposed to the same environmental factors may show distinct radiological manifestations, and since silicosis is known as a multifactorial disease, it is plausible that individual genetic susceptibility may play a role in the pathology. This review of the literature aims to provide an assessment of the present data on the genetic association studies in silicosis and describe the genes that potentially might influence silicosis susceptibility in silica-exposed individuals.

Methods: We accessed the database of PubMed for articles published in English about interindividual genetic susceptibility to silicosis using terms related to the subject matter.

Results: Following the evaluation process, 28 studies were included in this systematic review, including 23 original studies and 5 meta-analyses.

Conclusions: Regardless of the advances in the knowledge of the importance of gene variations in silicosis, more studies need to be performed, in particular, special polygenic and genome-wide investigations.

Keywords: Silicosis; association study; gene variation; genetics; polymorphism; susceptibility.