Effects of asbestos on the random migration of rabbit alveolar macrophages

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8560387· OSTI ID:6285954

Myrvik, Q N; Knox, E A; Gordon, M; Shirley, P S

The toxicity of sized and characterized chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite preparations have been evaluated using alveolar macrophage (AM) migration inhibition assays and viability tests. These results have been compared with asbestos samples obtained from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). These latter samples are designated chrysotile A (RT), crocidolite (RT), and amosite (RT). In addition, filter-isolated preparations of chrysotile A (RT) that consisted mainly of large nonphagocytosable fibers were also tested. Chrysotile (Spurny) and sonicated chrysotile A (RT) produced 50% migration inhibition at about 115 g/mL. Spurny crocidolite produced 50% migration inhibition at about 340 g/mL, where RT crocidolite produced 50% migration inhibition at about 230 g/mL. RT amosite caused 50% migration inhibition at about 180 g/mL, where Spurny amosite was inactive up to 500 g/mL. The large nonphagocytosable chrysotile A (RT) fibers produced 50% migration inhibition at about 66 g/mL. This indicates that fibers can be toxic for AM through extracellular membrane contact. In general the results from the viability studies paralleled the migration inhibition observations. None of the asbestos preparations induced a burst in the hexose monophosphate shunt of BCG-immune AM at 1 mg/mL. BCG-immune AM were more susceptible to cell death than normal AM when incubated with chrysotile A (RT), amosite (RT) and zymosan. Migration inhibition induced by asbestos fibers probably reflects toxicity of the asbestos preparations and could play an important role in blocking normal alveolar clearance of inhaled particles.

• Research Organization: Wake Forest Univ., Winston-Salem, NC
• OSTI ID: 6285954
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 60; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560301* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Cells-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
ASBESTOS
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
INHIBITION
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
MIGRATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
RABBITS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SOMATIC CELLS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
VIABILITY