Modulation of TNF-alpha secretions by alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes after soot-particle or asbestos fibre exposure

• Published in: European journal of medical research Vol. 1; no. 9; p. 425
• Main Authors: Kienast, K, Bay, M, Drumm, K, Smolarski, R, Ferlinz, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 25-06-1996
• Subjects: Asbestos - toxicity; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - cytology; Carbon - toxicity; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - surgery; Macrophages, Alveolar - drug effects; Macrophages, Alveolar - immunology; Macrophages, Alveolar - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Mineral Fibers; Monocytes - drug effects; Monocytes - immunology; Monocytes - pathology; Neoplasm Staging; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - secretion
• ISSN: 0949-2321

Activated monocytes secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), whose inflammatory and fibroblast activating characteristics may play a role in the maintenance of pulmonary inflammatory processes and subsequent fibrosis. Human alveolar macrophages (AM) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were exposed to soot particles or asbestos fibres in concentrations ranging from 5-50 micrograms/1 x 10(6) cells for 8 hrs in RPMI medium. A culture was established with the exposed monocytes and the remaining cells were used to determine TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha was quantified by commercial ELISA-kits. 8 hrs exposure to soot particles and asbestos fibres induced a significant increase in spontaneous TNF-alpha release (p < 0.05). Cytotoxicity of monocytes was checked by trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase assay, noted values ranging from 0.5%-16.2%.