Air pollution and autoimmune disease

Status Ongoing
Start date 2012
Location Quebec
Researcher Bernatsky, Sasha
Associated institution The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and McGill University
Summary

This project explores how exposure to air pollution may influence immune mechanisms involved in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Using CARTaGENE data, researchers examined whether industrial pollutants — including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) — are associated with anti‑citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), an early marker of rheumatoid arthritis risk. The findings show that living near major industrial emitters or being exposed to higher levels of fine particles increases the likelihood of testing positive for these antibodies.
Additional studies reveal thousands of epigenetic changes (DNA methylation differences) in individuals who are ACPA‑positive, many of which relate to immune pathways and environmental influences. Other analyses suggest that pollution may affect autoimmunity through these epigenetic mechanisms.
Together, the results indicate that environmental factors — particularly industrial air pollution — may play a role in triggering early autoimmune processes years before disease symptoms appear.

Themes
  • Chronic diseases
  • Environment and lifestyle
  • Public health and epidemiology
Data types
  • Biochemical and hematological data
  • Biological samples
  • Genetic data
  • Linked data
  • Physical and cognitive measures
  • Questionnaire data

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