In vitro cytotoxicity of chrysotile asbestos to human pulmonary alveolar macrophages is decreased by organosilane coating and surfactant

• Published in: Cell biology and toxicology 1986-06, Vol.2 (2), p.293-309
• Main Authors: Morrison, D G, McLemore, T L, Lawrence, E C, Feuerbacher, D G, Mace, Jr, M L, Busbee, D L, Griffin, A C, Marshall, M V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Asbestos - toxicity; Asbestos, Serpentine; Female; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - drug effects; Male; Mutagenicity Tests; Pulmonary Alveoli - cytology; Pulmonary Alveoli - drug effects; Surface-Active Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0742-2091; 1573-6822
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00122697

Human pulmonary alveolar macrophages were used to quantitate the cytotoxic effect of surface-altered chrysotile asbestos. Little difference was observed in mortality between chrysotile asbestos that was surface-treated to a 42% extent by a hydrophobic organosilane or untreated chrysotile. Little or no effect on mortality was observed when human pulmonary alveolar macrophages were cultured with untreated chrysotile or acid-leached asbestos in the presence of 10 mM dipalmitoyl lecithin. However, when human pulmonary alveolar macrophages were cultured with a hydrophobically-treated (to a 42% or 95% extent) chrysotile asbestos in the presence of 10 mM dipalmitoyl lecithin, a statistically significant decrease in mortality was observed compared to untreated chrysotile. No mutagenic activity was observed when V79 cells were cultured with acid-leached, or 42% hydrophobically-treated chrysotile asbestos, even when human pulmonary alveolar macrophages were included as an activation source. The 95% hydrophobically-treated and acid-leached chrysotile also exhibited decreased binding of benzo[a]pyrene compared to untreated chrysotile asbestos.