Morphologic changes reflecting early and late effects of irradiation of the distal lung of the mouse: a review
In radiation of the thorax, the lung has been shown to be a major dose-limiting organ. The early and late responses of the lung to radiation has been reviewed, with primary emphasis on the following cell types: type II pneumocyte, type I pneumocyte, pulmonary endothelial cell and macrophage. The earliest observable and quantifiable cellular response to radiation is exhibited by the type II pneumocytes as a decrease in lamellar bodies and a corresponding increase in surfactant content of the alveolar lavage. By 18-63 weeks following exposure, several type II cells, restored in their lamellar body population, undergo degeneration and sloughing into alveolar spaces. Type I pneumocytes generally exhibit little change, although some investigators describe alveolar denudation due to degenerating type I cells. Macrophages decrease in numbers following irradiation, returning to normal populations by 4 weeks. These changes correspond closely to the changes in alveolar lavage phospholipid phosphorus. Descriptions of radiation-induced damage to endothelial cells are variable. However, blebbing and vacuolation appear to be late developing responses, although altered permeability may be earlier in its expression. Radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis are the two major clinical and experimental responses of the lung to radiation following exposures of greater than 12 Gy. The former appears to involve type II cells, macrophages and pulmonary endothelial cells, and for the latter macrophages, fibroblasts, type II pneumocytes and the pulmonary endothelial cells are involved. The two events are not interdependent, and may not necessarily be interrelated.
- Research Organization:
- Cancer Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York
- OSTI ID:
- 5853046
- Journal Information:
- Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States), Journal Name: Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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LUNGS
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
EARLY RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEST
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENDOTHELIUM
FIBROSIS
MACROPHAGES
MICE
PNEUMONITIS
RADIOINDUCTION
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
MAMMALS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHAGOCYTES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
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TISSUES
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560152* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals