EFFECTS OF IRRADIATION ON MACROPHAGIC RESPONSE AND TRANSPORT OF PARTICLES ACROSS THE ALVEOLAR EPITHELIUM

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 106  (1) , 40-46
Abstract
Macrophagic production and particulate penetration into the lung were studied in mice depleted of monocytes by whole body irradiation. Subsequent intratracheal instillation of 4 mg C resulted in a much smaller adaptive increase in the number of alveolar macrophages, as compared with nonirradiated animals. The decreased macrophagic output was associated with increased passage of free C across the type 1 alveolar epithelium, resulting in increasing accumulation of C in interstitial macrophages and hilar lymph nodes of irradiated mice. Apparently, interference with the adaptive outpouring of alveolar macrophages following a particulate load facilitates the interaction of particles with macrophages within the pulmonary interstitium, where fibrogenic factors released in response to toxic agents would have a maximum effect.