Uptake of Benzo[a]pyrene--Ferric Oxide Particulates by Human Pulmonary Macrophages and Release of Benzo[a]pyrene and Its Metabolites

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Abstract
Human pulmonary macrophages were able to phagocytize BP[benzo[a]pyrene] [a potential carcinogen]-ferric oxide particulates in a time-dependent manner. BP was eluted from the engulfed particulates and released into the extracellular space as free BP or as metabolites of BP. Some of the released products were mutagenic for Chinese hamster V-79 cells. A higher binding level of BP to bronchial DNA was found when bronchial explants were coincubated with PAM [pulmonary alveolar macrophage] containing BP-ferric oxide than when incubated with BP-ferric oxide alone.