PULMONARY MACROPHAGE ACCUMULATION AND ASBESTOS-INDUCED LESIONS AT SITES OF FIBER DEPOSITION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 129  (2) , 301-310
Abstract
Inhaled chrysotile asbestos fibers were deposited at alveolar duct bifurcations and subsequently phagocytized there by pulmonary macrophages. The characteristics of the rapid macrophage response at alveolar duct bifurcations following asbestos inhalation in rats was further evaluated. Significant numbers of pulmonary macrophages accumulated at sites of asbestos deposition within 48 h after a 1 h exposure; duct surfaces of sham-exposed animals were essentially devoid of macrophages. The influx of macrophages was associated with a significantly increased bifurcation tissue area (P < 0.025), and this alteration persisted for at least 1 mo. Two thirds of the accumulated macrophages from alveolar duct bifurcations could be removed by bronchoalveolar lavage. Macrophages recovered by lavage had significant changes (P < 0.001) in their morphology, and in their phagocytic and chemotactic capacities. These cellular alterations could have played a role in the pathogenesis of asbestos-related lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis).