Margot Lundborg

Dissolution of metals by human and rabbit alveolar macrophages.

The ability of human and rabbit alveolar macrophages to dissolve 0.1-0.5 micron MnO2 particles in vitro was compared. The amount of Mn added and dissolved from the particles over periods of nought, one, and three days was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The amount dissolved by human and rabbit macrophages was similar; on average 43.1% and 43.9%, respectively, were dissolved within three days. But rabbit and human macrophages dissolved significantly more Mn than was dissolved in the respective culture medium without macrophages after one and three days. It is suggested that the dissolution of particles by alveolar macrophages should be one basic component in any model of alveolar clearance of inorganic particles.

Ability of rabbit alveolar macrophages to dissolve metals.

Manganese dioxide particles, 0.1-0.5 micron, were added to samples of 2-3 X 10(6) rabbit alveolar macrophages. The amount of manganese added and dissolved from the particles, over periods of 0, 1, 3, and 5 days, was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Macrophages from six rabbits received about 10 micrograms of Mn, macrophages from two rabbits about 30 micrograms, and macrophages from another two rabbits about 100 micrograms. Over periods of 1, 3, and 5 days the macrophages in all three dose groups dissolved two to three times more Mn than was dissolved in control experiments. In control experiments solubility was studied in the medium without macrophages. Macrophages cultivated 3 days before the addition of MnO2 dissolved the particles within another 2 days to an extent similar to that in the control experiments. The ability of the macrophages to dissolve MnO2 particles might be related to the low pH values in the phagosomes. Studies of the ability of macrophages from various species to dissolve metal particles as well as of pH values in their phagosomes might lead to a better understanding of alveolar clearance of metal particles.

Alveolar macrophages in rabbits exposed to nickel dust. Ultrastructural changes and effect on phagocytosis.

Abstract Two groups of four rabbits each were exposed to 0.5 and 2.0 mg/m 3 of metallic nickel dust respectively, for 4 weeks (5 days/week, 6 hours/day). About half of the particle masses penetrated a Casella preseparator. After exposure the lungs were extracted and lavaged. Compared to four control rabbits significant effects were seen in both exposed groups with regard to lung weight and density as well as phagocytic activity, size distribution, and ultrastructure of the alveolar macrophages (numerous slender microvilli and long protrusions from the cell surface and laminated structures similar to those seen in alveolar type II cells). The effects on the macrophages were probably not caused directly by nickel. The lung washing from the exposed rabbits contained an amorphous substance rich in phospholipids and laminated structures. Apart from the ultrastructural changes the effects seemed to be dose related. The results of exposure to metallic nickel dust have at least some features in common with “alveolar lipoproteinosis,” described in rats exposed to silica dust, and with “pulmonary alveolar proteinosis,” described in man.

Dissolution of Two Arsenic Compounds by Rabbit Alveolar Macrophages in Vitro

The ability of rabbit alveolar macrophages to dissolve two arsenic compounds, 74As-labeled lead arsenate and arsenic trisulfide, was studied in vitro. The solubilities in water of these two compounds are related differently to pH. The solubility of lead arsenate increases and that of arsenic trisulfide decreases with decreasing pH. The radiolabeled particles were incubated with and without macrophages for up to 3 days, whereafter the amount of 74As in soluble form and the amount in particle form and/or bound to macrophages were determined. The results strongly support the hypothesis that the dissolution of particles by macrophages is influenced by the acid milieu in the phagosomes. About 14% of the 74As-labeled lead arsenate particles incubated for 3 days with the macrophages was released into the culture medium, compared with about 2% of the particles incubated with the culture medium without macrophages. With the arsenic trisulfide particles, less soluble 74As was released into the medium in samples with macrophages than in samples without macrophages, although the solubility in all incubations was considerably greater than that for lead arsenate. The results indicate that dissolution in the phagosomes of the macrophages may be of great importance for the clearance of particles such as lead arsenate, which are more soluble at pH 4 than at pH 7.

In vitro phagocytosis of fungal spores by rabbit lung macrophages

The degree of phagocytosis by rabbit lung macrophages has been studied for the spores of 4 fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, an aflatoxin-producing and a non-aflatoxin-producing strain of A. flavus and Rhizopus arrhizus. Parallel tests using inert particles of polystyrene of corresponding size were used. The degree of phagocytosis for all, except R. arrhizus, was markedly higher than for the corresponding particles.

Alveolar macrophage function in nickel dust exposed rabbits

8 rabbits were exposed to metallic nickel dust (2 mg/m3, of which about half was respirable) for 4 weeks. The lungs were lavaged and the macrophages were collected. In comparison with 8 control rabbits, a significant increase was noted in the nickel exposed rabbits as concerned the weight and density of the lungs, the size variation of the lung cells, the phagocytosis of silver coated particles, and the metabolic activity as measured by NBT reduction. The last mentioned increase was recorded during basal conditions as well as during phagocytosis. The NBT reduction during phagocytosis was significantly correlated with the degree of phagocytosis of silver coated particles in both control and exposed rabbits. It is suggested that the exposure to nickel dust has unspecifically activated the macrophages perhaps by increased production of phospholipids.

Lysozyme levels in rabbit lung after inhalation of nickel, cadmium, cobalt, and copper chlorides

Groups of rabbits were exposed to chlorides of nickel, cadmium, copper, and cobalt at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 mg/m3 (as metal) for 4-6 weeks (5 days/week, 6 hr/day). Activity of lysozyme (muramidase) in lavage fluid, in alveolar macrophages, and in culture medium from macrophages incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 and 20 hr was estimated using the lyso-plate technique, agar plates with heat-killed Micrococcus lysodeikticus. In the nickel-exposed rabbits lysozyme activity in the mucous membrane from the left main bronchus was also estimated. Following nickel exposure the lysozyme level was significantly decreased in lavage fluid, macrophages, and in culture medium from incubated macrophages but remained unchanged in the mucous membrane. After exposure to cadmium, copper, and cobalt, lysozyme levels increased or were unchanged.

Phagolysosomal morphology and dissolution of cobalt oxide particles by human and rabbit alveolar macrophages.

The effect of phagolysosomal size on dissolution of cobalt oxide particles was evaluated in two different macrophage systems: alveolar macrophages (AM) of human smokers with phagolysosomes enlarged by ingested cigarette smoke products, and rabbit AM incubated in vitro with sucrose, which causes swelling of the phagolysosomes by osmosis. Human AM from smokers and nonsmokers were studied in vitro. There was no significant difference in particle dissolution between AM obtained from smokers and nonsmokers, although there was a clear difference in the morphological appearance of AM, including significantly larger phagolysosomes in smokers. Rabbit AM were incubated for 24 or 72 h with or without 80 mM sucrose in the medium. The sucrose-treated cells had 3-4 times larger phagolysosomes than untreated cells, with no major change in phagolysosomal pH. The increased size of the phagolysosomes did not affect the ability of the AM to dissolve cobalt oxide particles. Furthermore, rabbit AM showed the same ability as human AM to dissolve the cobalt oxide particles, in spite of the fact that they had markedly smaller phagolysosomes. Another difference between human and rabbit AM was that phagolysosomes in human AMs increased in size with time in culture, while rabbit AM phagolysosomes decreased in size.

Rabbit alveolar macrophages after long-term inhalation of soluble cobalt

Rabbits were exposed to 2 or 0.4 mg/m3 of cobalt as CoCl2 for 14-16 weeks (5 days/week and 6 hr/day). More macrophages were lavaged from the lungs of rabbits exposed to the higher Co2+ concentration, and the diameter and variation of the diameter of the macrophages were significantly larger than in controls. The activity of lysozyme in the lavage fluid and in the macrophages was increased in the two exposed groups. Some macrophages in the exposed animals were large and engorged with intracellular lamellar inclusions and lipid droplets. Most of these cells had a smooth surface. The oxidative metabolic activity measured by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium was increased in the exposed groups. The number of yeast cell particles attached to the surface of the macrophages was increased in the group exposed to the high concentration, but the number of ingested particles was not affected by cobalt exposure. Apart from the fact cobalt increased lysozyme activity whereas nickel decreased it, cobalt produced the same type of effects on macrophages as nickel did in earlier studies. Cobalt affected only a minor proportion whereas nickel affected most macrophages. This can be explained by the fact nickel produced a general increase in the volume density of the type II cells while cobalt affected the type II cells only in some areas of the lungs.

DNA damage in lung cells in vivo and in vitro by 1,3-butadiene and nitrogen dioxide and their photochemical reaction products

A UV-irradiated mixture of 1,3-butadiene and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was tested for its potency to induce DNA damage measured as single-strand breaks (SSB) in lungs of mice. Both gases were also tested separately. After 16 h exposure a UV-irradiated mixture of 40 ppm butadiene + 20 ppm NO2, but not 20 ppm butadiene + 10 ppm NO2 + UV, induced a significant increase in SSB as measured by the alkaline unwinding technique. There was no increase in the level of SSB using the alkaline elution technique during the same testing conditions. However, after 5 h exposure to 60 ppm butadiene + 30 ppm NO2 + UV both methods demonstrated a significant increase in SSB. Mice were also exposed to butadiene at 80 and 200 ppm for 16 h and at 500 ppm for 5 h. DNA damage was demonstrated in both liver and lung after 5 and 16 h (only at 200 ppm) of exposure using the unwinding technique. Using the alkaline elution assay, a significant increase in the level of SSB in lung and liver was found only after 5 h of exposure. When mice were exposed to 30 ppm NO2 for 16 h or 50 ppm for 5 h, a significant increase in SSB was found with the unwinding technique. Alveolar macrophages from mice were also exposed in vitro to the gas mixture and to butadiene and NO2 separately. In these experiments, the DNA damage was studied with the unwinding technique. A significant effect was demonstrated with 40 ppm butadiene + 20 ppm NO2 + UV. NO2 itself contributed to some extent to the increase. Reasons for the discrepancies between the unwinding and the alkaline elution techniques are discussed.