Libby amphibole-induced mesothelial cell autoantibodies promote collagen deposition in mice

Libby amphibole‐induced mesothelial cell autoantibodies bind to surface plasminogen and alter collagen matrix remodeling

Lamellar pleural thickening (LPT) is a fibrotic disease induced by exposure to Libby amphibole (LA) asbestos that causes widespread scarring around the lung, resulting in deterioration of pulmonary function. Investigating the effects of autoantibodies to mesothelial cells (MCAA) present in the study populations has been a major part of the effort to understand the mechanism of pathogenesis. It ...

Comparative health effects in mice of Libby amphibole asbestos and a fibrous amphibole from Arizona.

This project developed from studies demonstrating that Libby Amphibole Asbestos (LAA) causes a non-typical set of health outcomes not generally reported for asbestos, including systemic autoimmunity and an unusual and devastating lamellar pleural thickening that progresses to severe pulmonary dysfunction and death. Further, mineral fiber mixtures with some similarities to LAA have recently been...

Exposure to airborne amphibole structures and health risks: Libby, Montana.

Libby, Montana is the site of a large vermiculite deposit that was mined between 1920 and 1990 to extract vermiculite for commercial applications such as insulation, gardening products, and construction materials. The Libby vermiculite deposit also contains amphibole minerals including tremolite, actinolite, richterite, and winchite. Historically, Libby mine workers experienced high exposures t...

Susceptibility to Libby Amphibole-Induced Pulmonary Disease in the Cardiovascular-Compromised Subpopulation

Separation and characterization of respirable amphibole fibers from Libby, Montana.

The vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, was in operation for over 70 yr and was contaminated with asbestos-like amphibole fibers. The mining, processing, and shipping of this vermiculite led to significant fiber inhalation exposure throughout the community, and residents of Libby have developed numerous pulmonary diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. The present study describes the sep...