Asbestos induces inflammatory cytokines in the lung through redox sensitive transcription factors

Studies are summarized demonstrating that the inflammatory cytokines, inter leukin IL-6 and IL-8, play a direct role in asbestos lung diseases and are produced by lung epithelial cells in direct response to the fibers. This re sponse is controlled by changes in the cellular oxidative/state induced by iron present in the fiber through Fenton-type chemistry. As a result of thi s oxidative stress, the redox sensitive transcription factors, NF-kappa B a nd NF-IL-6, which help regulate cytokine gene expression, are activated. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.