Risk of occupational exposure to asbestos, silicon and arsenic on pulmonary disorders: Understanding the genetic-epigenetic interplay and future prospects.

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies suggest strong association of lung disorders with occupational exposure to asbestos, silicon and arsenic. The chronic occupational exposure primarily through inhalation results in adverse outcome on the respiratory tract which may also be fatal. Although several mechanisms have attributed towards these diseases; the molecular pathogenesis is still unknown.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we investigated the plausible molecular mechanism based on current research that may identify the genetic and epigenetic susceptibility of respiratory disorders upon such occupational exposures in humans.

METHODS

We considered genetic variants and epigenetic alterations associated with pulmonary exposure hazards leading to asbestosis, silicosis and arsenicosis. Our review is stringently based on the literatures available through peer-reviewed articles mostly published in the last 10 years. Relevant search were conducted using keywords like "occupational lung disorders" along with "asbestos", "silicon" and "arsenic".

RESULTS

Till September 2015, pubmed search yielded approximately 780 articles relating to asbestos exposure; 240 articles for silicon exposure and 60 articles for arsenic exposure. Extensive screening for genetic and epigenetic factors identified certain genes and related pathways that are important to determine the susceptibility of an individual towards such occupational exposure.

CONCLUSION

The link between genotype and phenotype and its association with disease susceptibility is very complex in nature due to several factors like person's environment, lifestyle and nutritional status. The epigenome is dynamic as well as reversible and can be reshaped further by certain dietary components throughout its life. In the present review, we have addressed the role of molecular pathogenesis of occupational lung diseases based on the genetic variability and epigenetic alterations and also attempted to highlight the promising aspect of dietary interventions to counter toxic outcomes upon occupational exposure to asbestos, silicon or arsenic.