Effect of lung damage by acute exposure to nitrogen dioxide on lung immunity in the rat

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(80)90071-7· OSTI ID:6500183

Schnizlein, C T ^[1]; Bice, D E; Rebar, A H; Wolff, R K; Beethe, R L

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1. Lovelace Inhalation Toxicology Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide damages Type I alveolar epithelial cells and the epithelium of the terminal bronchiole. Because an intact epithelium may help control the number of inhaled particles that are cleared by the pulmonary lymphatics, damage to the alveolar epithelium could alter the antigen load to the lung-associated lymph nodes. To determine the effects of lung damage by NO/sub 2/ inhalation on lung immunity, we exposed adult, male rats to 26 ppM NO/sub 2/ for 24 h at various time intervals before and after intratracheal immunization with 10/sup 8/ sheep red blood cells. Seven days after immunization, we determined the number of anti-SRBC antibody-forming cells in the LALN, cervical lymph nodes, and spleen. The immunologic response to SRBC was limited to the LALN, with few or no AFC in either the cervical lymph nodes or spleen. A fivefold increase in the number of IgG anti-SRBC AFC/10/sup 6/ LALN cells was evident in rats immunized 1 day after NO/sub 2/ exposure. The increase was followed by a slight suppression of the IgG response when rats were immunized 3 days after exposure, returning to normal levels by 7 days after exposure. Histopathological examination of lung tissues showed a slight respiratory bronchiolitis which was followed by a bronchiolar epithelial cell hyperplasia and Type II cell hyperplasia in the adjacent alveoli. Based on these observations, it appears that the fluctuations observedin the LALN response may be the result of damage and subsequent repair of bronchiolar and alveolar epithelium following NO/sub 2/ inhalation.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76EV01013
• OSTI ID: 6500183
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 23:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LUNGS
SENSITIVITY
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
TOXICITY
BRONCHI
EPITHELIUM
IMMUNITY
INHALATION
INHIBITION
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
RATS
TIME DEPENDENCE
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BODY
CHALCOGENIDES
INTAKE
MAMMALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)