The Korean Journal of Physiology
- Volume 29 Issue 1
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- Pages.1-11
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- 1995
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- 0300-4015(pISSN)
Effects of In Vitro Exposure to Silica on Bioactive Mediator Release by Alveolar Macrophages
- Lee, Ji-Hee (Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University)
- Published : 1995.06.30
Abstract
Alveolar macrophages play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of silicosis since the macrophages may release a wide variety of toxic and inflammatory mediators as well as mitogenic growth factors. In the present study, the effects of in vitro exposure to silica on release of various mediator such as reactive oxygen species, platelet activating factor(PAF), and interleukin-1 (IL-1) by alveolar macrophages were examined. First, hydrogen peroxide release from alveolar macrophages was monitored by measuring the change in fluorescence of scopoletin in the absence or presence of graded concentration of silica. Significantly enhanced release of hydrogen peroxide was observed at 0.5 mg/ml and above. A maximal enhancement of 10 fold above control was observed at 5 mg/ml silica. Similarly, in vitro exposure to silica also significantly stimulated the generation of chemiluminescence from alveolar macrophages at 0.5 mg/ml and above with n maximal enhancement of 8 fold at 5 mg/ml silica. Second, PAF release from alveolar macrophages after 30 min incubation at
Keywords
- Alveolar macrophages;
- Silica exposure;
- Reactive oxygen species;
- Platelet activating factor;
- Interleukin-1