Characterization of the lower respiratory tract inflammation of nonsmoking individuals with interstitial lung disease associated with chronic inhalation of inorganic dusts

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/136.6.1429· OSTI ID:5756866

Rom, W N; Bitterman, P B; Rennard, S I; Cantin, A; Crystal, R G

The pneumoconioses, interstitial lung disorders resulting from the inhalation of inorganic dusts, are associated with chronic inflammatory processes in the lower respiratory tract. To characterize these inflammatory processes in relation to the pathogenesis of these disorders, we studied 39 nonsmoking individuals with long-term occupational exposures to inorganic dust and functional evidence of interstitial disease (asbestosis, n = 18; coal workers' pneumoconiosis, n = 15; silicosis, n = 6). In all 3 disorders, the inflammation was dominated by alveolar macrophages. Because a common feature of these interstitial lung diseases is concurrent injury and fibrosis of alveolar walls, we assessed whether these alveolar macrophages were spontaneously releasing mediators capable of giving rise to these changes. Alveolar macrophages from the study population were spontaneously releasing increased amounts of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (both p less than 0.01 compared to normals), oxidants capable of injuring lung parenchymal cells. The alveolar macrophages were also spontaneously releasing significantly increased amounts of fibronectin and alveolar macrophage-derived growth factor (both p less than 0.01 compared to normals), mediators that act synergistically to signal fibroblast replication. Taken together, these findings define a major role for the alveolar macrophage in mediating the alveolar wall injury and fibrosis that characterize the common pneumoconioses and suggest that the alveolar macrophage is an important target for developing strategies designed to prevent loss of lung function in these individuals.

• Research Organization: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD
• OSTI ID: 5756866
• Journal Information: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 136:6; ISSN ARDSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMAL CELLS
ASBESTOS
BODY
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISEASES
DUSTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GROWTH FACTORS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
INHALATION
INTAKE
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
MATERIALS
MINERALS
MITOGENS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PEROXIDES
PHAGOCYTES
PNEUMOCONIOSES
POLLUTION
PROTEINS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SOMATIC CELLS
TOXICITY