Comparative damage to alveolar macrophages after phagocytosis of respirable particles

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(82)90061-5· OSTI ID:5732378

Hill, J O; Gray, R H; DeNee, P B; Newton, G J

Backscatter electron and secondary electron imaging were used in a scanning electron microscope study of the in vitro toxic effects of particles ingested by alveolar macrophages. Relatively nontoxic aluminosilicate fly ash particles from the Mount St. Helens eruption and from a coal-fired power plant as well as toxic quartz particles from the Westphalia (Germany) mine deposits were readily taken up by macrophages. The presence of fly ash particles inside the cells was not associated with any changes in surface morphology. The presence of intracellular quartz particles, on the other hand, was correlated with damage to the cell membrane as determined by alterations in surface morphology, uptake of trypan blue, and release of the cytoplasmic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase. The use of backscatter electron imaging is useful in scanning electron microscope studies which attempt to establish cause and effect relationships between exposure to respirable particles and the morphological and cytotoxic response.

• Research Organization: Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC04-76EV01013
• OSTI ID: 5732378
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 27:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FLY ASH
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MACROPHAGES
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
QUARTZ
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
IN VITRO
MT ST HELENS
PHAGOCYTOSIS
TOXICITY
VOLCANOES
AEROSOL WASTES
ANIMAL CELLS
ASHES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
MOUNTAINS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHAGOCYTES
POWER PLANTS
RESIDUES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SOMATIC CELLS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTES
560301* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Cells- (-1987)
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)