Spin label study of the effects of NO/sub 2/, SO/sub 2/, and pH upon the pulmonary alveolar macrophage. [In vitro]

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978 · Spectrosc. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00387017808065049· OSTI ID:5998562

Rowlands, J R

Much of the in vivo research that has been conducted on the health effects of pullutants such as SO/sub 2/ and NO/sub 2/ has been concerned with their effects upon lung defense systems, with particular reference to their effect on functional properties of the alveolar macrophage (AM). Agents deposited in or below the region of the respiratory bronchioles are phagocytized by the AM. Gaseous air pollutants have been shown to affect the functional state of the cells. Phagocytosis is an energy dependent process and plasma membrane ATPase has been suggested to act as a mechanoenzyme making phagocytosis possible. Since the bulk of the cellular ATPase activity is located in the plasma membrane of the AM, the enzyme is easily accessible to inhaled pollutants. Electron spin resonance studies were conducted on the effects of two common air pollutants, SO/sub 2/ and NO/sub 2/, on the plasma membrane of intact alveolar macrophage cells. Also included is a study of the effects of pH upon plasma membrane properties. It is recognized that the functional properties of the macrophage are dependent upon membrane fluidity and intrinsic protein conformation and distribution. The biophysical studies described illustrate that both NO/sub 2/ aq and SO/sub 2/ aq cause easily detectable changes to the bulk fluidity and protein conformation and mobility independent of changes in the pH of the environment of the cell. However, changes in pH of the environment of the macrophage in the absence of these agents is also found to cause similar changes in the biophysical parameters measured.

• Research Organization: Southwest Foundation for Research and Education, San Antonio, TX
• OSTI ID: 5998562
• Journal Information: Spectrosc. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 11:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CELL MEMBRANES
PERMEABILITY
MACROPHAGES
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
PH VALUE
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
SULFUR DIOXIDE
AIR POLLUTION
ATP-ASE
BIOCHEMISTRY
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
IN VITRO
ISOLATED VALUES
LUNGS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
PROTEINS
RATS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DATA
DATA FORMS
DISEASES
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
ESTERS
HYDROLASES
INFORMATION
LIPIDS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHAGOCYTES
PHOSPHATASES
POLLUTION
RESONANCE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
VERTEBRATES
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550200 - Biochemistry
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500200 - Environment
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