Changes in lipid ordering of model phospholipid membranes treated with chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80116-1· OSTI ID:5573610

Gendek, E G; Brody, A R ^[1]

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1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)

A variety of inorganic particles bind to cell membranes and cause alterations in phagocytosis, migration, and metabolism leading to eventual cell death. The mechanisms which mediate these events at the complex membrane level are not known. In attempting to define the mechanisms of asbestos-induced membrane changes, we have prepared small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine as a simplified model of the cell membrane. Negatively stained preparations for electron microscopy demonstrated that the SUVs bind to both chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos fibers. Electron spin resonance showed that both asbestos types caused increased membrane rigidity at the level of the 12th carbon, whereas chrysotile induced increased rigidity at the 5th carbon level as well. Studies using DPPC membranes compared to SUVs made of phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk support the view that lipid peroxidation may play no significant role in alterations of membrane rigidity induced by the asbestos particle binding. Similar alterations of membrane rigidity and lipid peroxidation at the depth of the 12th carbon have been reported in complex naturally occurring erythrocyte membranes.

• OSTI ID: 5573610
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Vol. 53:2; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASBESTOS
TOXICITY
CELL MEMBRANES
INJURIES
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
ESTERS
LIPIDS
MEMBRANES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology