Male Fisher 344 rats were exposed to 2 mg vanadium(V)/m 3 (as ammonium metavanadate NFL,VO 3 , 0.32 ^m MMD) atmospheres for 8 hr/day for 4 days in a nose-only exposure system. In exposed rats, lung V burdens increased in a time-dependent fashion. Analysis of lung cells and lavage fluid 24 hr after the final exposure suggested that tissue damage and a strong inflammatory response was elicited; numbers of neutrophil and small macrophages (Me), as well as levels of lavageable protein and lactate dehydrogenase, were significantly elevated as compared with levels observed with air-exposed rats. Vanadium also affected pulmonary alveolar M0 (PAM) capacities to produce and respond to immunoregulating cytokines. Inducible PAM production of tumor necrosis factor-a was significantly Inhibited, as was the ability to increase cell surface Class II/I-A molecule expression in response to interferon-? (LFN-)'). PAM from V-exposed hosts were also inhibited in their ability to be primed by EFN-y to produce superoride anion and hydrogen peroxide in response to stimulation with opsonized zymosan. These studies indicate that short-term repeated exposure of rats to atmospheric V, at levels encountered in an occupational setting, can alter host pulmonary immunomocompetence, with one major effect occurring at the level of cytokine-related functions. These alterations may be underlying mechanisms for the welldocumented increases in bronchopulmonary infections and cancers in workers chronically exposed to V-containing atmospheres.O 1996 Society of Toxicology.Vanadium (V), a Group Vb transition metal, is used widely in the steel and chemical industries, and is a constituent of many ores, coals, and oils (ATSDR, 1991). Increased mining and milling of V-bearing ores and combustion of fossil fuels for heating/energy production result in high levels of respirable V particles/fumes (containing both insoluble vanadium pentoxide and soluble vanadates) in many work environs (Nriagu and Pacyna, 1988; ATSDR, 1991). Ambient V levels in these settings can reach >30 mg/m 3 ; the ' To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: (914) 351-5472.