Alveolar macrophage and its role in toxicology

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973 · CRC Crit. Rev. Toxicol., v. 2, pp. 95-124

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10408447309163832· OSTI ID:4327711

Bowden, D H

The role of alveolar macrophages in toxicology is reviewed. The macrophage is discussed with regard to its origin, morphology, metabolism, relationship to lung alveoli, and relationship to pulmonary clearance. The toxic effects of inhaled particulate pollutants and the phagocytic functions of macrophages are discussed with regard to silica, asbestos, and allergenic dusts. The impairment of the defensive functions of alveolar macrophages by gaseous pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and tobacco smoke, is reviewed. Following whole-body or local irradiation increased susceptibility to infection occurs and the macrophages play an important role in defending the alveolar wall against bacterial invasion. It is thought that the macrophages are relatively radioresistant. The health hazards of inhaled radioactive aerosols such as polonium and plutonium compounds are pointed out and the role of macrophages in phagocytosis and clearance of inhaled particles from the lungs is discussed. The responses of lung tissues to drugs and hormones are described and the relationship of macrophages to these responses is reviewed. (241 references) (HLW)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-027059
• OSTI ID: 4327711
• Journal Information: CRC Crit. Rev. Toxicol., v. 2, pp. 95-124, Journal Name: CRC Crit. Rev. Toxicol., v. 2, pp. 95-124; ISSN CRTXB
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*ASBESTOS-- TOXICITY
*DRUGS-- TOXICITY
*DUSTS-- TOXICITY
*HORMONES-- TOXICITY
*MACROPHAGES
*OZONE-- TOXICITY
*PLUTONIUM COMPOUNDS-- LUNG CLEARANCE
*POLONIUM COMPOUNDS-- LUNG CLEARANCE
*SILICATES-- TOXICITY
*SULFUR OXIDES-- TOXICITY
*TOBACCO SMOKES-- TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
INFECTIVITY
INHALATION
LOCAL IRRADIATION
MAN
N48510* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals--Man
N48610 --Life Sciences--Radionuclide Effects (Internal Source)--Man
PHAGOCYTOSIS
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
REVIEWS
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION