Macrophage depletion of mouse lung following inhalation of /sup 238/PuO/sub 2/

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3576694· OSTI ID:5675185

Moores, S R; Talbot, R J; Evans, N; Lambert, B E

Changes in the free-cell population of the lungs of two strains of mice (SAS/4 and CBA/H) were studied up to 4 months after inhalation exposure to a sized fraction of /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/ particles (1.5 micron AMAD) to give initial alveolar depositions (IADs) ranging from 17 to 810 Bq. A sample of the free-cell population of the lung was recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage, and a radiometric method was used to estimate the total number of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) in the lung. The response of the lung to /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/ was characterized by an initial, dose-dependent depression in the total number of PAM following an IAD as low as 50 Bq. At IADs greater than 150 Bq, the initial depression continued for longer, merging into a chronic phase in which the PAM were larger and were accompanied by a minor infiltration of leukocytes. These findings were confirmed by histology, which also revealed focal accumulations of Type II pneumocytes. The results indicate that inhaled alpha-emitting particles are effective at producing a depletion in the alveolar macrophage population at relatively low IADs and that chronic effects on the cells can be produced by higher concentrations.

• Research Organization: Inhalation Toxicology Group, Harwell, England
• OSTI ID: 5675185
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560162* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
AEROSOLS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
COLLOIDS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISPERSIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
INHALATION
INHIBITION
INTAKE
ISOTOPES
LAVAGE
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
MICE
NUCLEI
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
PLUTONIUM 239
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOISOTOPES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
SOLS
SOMATIC CELLS
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES