The Phagocytosis of Industrial Dusts in Tissue Cultures

Abstract

and the State Institute for the Investigation of Dust Diseases of the Lung and Industrial Hygiene (RECEIVED FOR PUBLICATION AUGUST 6, 1951) * " Leitstaub ", literally translated means " guide dust ", for instance aluminium, used for the prevention of silicosis.

Alterations in Macrophage Functions by Environmental Chemicals

“…It is known that the size, shape, chemical composition and surface area of the environmental agent has an influence on the phagocytic functioning of the alveolar macrophages (75,95,128,129). Small size significantly increases the probability of deposition in the alveolar area and hence represents the greatest challenge to the defense cells.…”

The Influence of the Shape of Dust Particles on the Rate of Phagocytosis IN VITRO

“…The methods of quantitative evaluation of phagocytosis in vitro consist in ascertaining the number of particles phagocytosed per phagocyte (Fenn, 1922;Jotten and Marwyck, 1952). In our experience, however, this procedure is unreliable, because, even when phase contrast microscopy is used, the number of phagocytosed particles of SiO5 cannot always be determined reliably; quartz particles within the cell gradually lose their sharp edges and after 24 hours the determination of the number of phagocytosed particles in the critical range up to 5,u is very unreliable.…”

“…Some of the later work supports the hypothesis propounded by Fenn (1922) on the indirect relation between the " harmfulness " of dusts and the degree by which they are phagocytosed. Thus Jotten and Marwyck (1952) showed that protective dusts, which in animal experiments diminish the silicotic effectiveness of quartz, increase at the same time the efficiency by which quartz is phagocytosed in experiments in vitro. The knowledge of factors which may determine the rate of phagocytosis of quartz dusts appears therefore to be of great importance, and the shape of the quartz particles may be one of these determining factors.…”

Calcium sulfate [MAK Value Documentation, 1991]

“…The test dust used, sucal ® , (a CaSO 4 preparation) increased the phagocytosis of quartz by spleen macrophages from chicken embryos by 18-39 % while CaCO 3 had no effect [32,49]. There is only speculation as to the specific effects in the cell of the dissolving Ca 2+ and SO 4 2 -ions.…”

“…In Germany, prevention of silicosis by inhalation of dusts of calcium compounds, particularly calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate, was considered practicable (cf. [33]) because of the results of experimental studies [31,32]. Another author [34,35], however, was unable to report positive effects in miners who had inhaled sucal ® (a CaSO 4 preparation) after the shift.…”