Diseases caused by silica: Mechanisms of injury and disease development

While silica particles are considered to be fibrogenic and carcinogenic agents, the mechanisms responsible are not well understood. This article summarizes literature on silica-induced accelerated silicosis, chronic silicosis, silico-tuberculosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, and immune-mediated diseases. This article also discusses the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that occurs directly from the interaction of silica with aqueous medium and from silica-stimulated cells, the molecular mechanisms of silica-induced lung injuries with focus on silica-induced NF-κB activation, including its mechanisms, possible attenuation and relationship to silica-induced generation of cyclooxygenase II and TNF-α. Silica-induced AP-1 activation, protooncogene expression, and the role of ROS in these processes are also briefly discussed.