title: Effect of trace metals on phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages.
abstract: Experiments were performed to measure the effect of trace metals on a vital function of the alveolar macrophage (AM), phagocytosis. Since certain trace metals were found to reduce the viability of AMs, a technique was developed to permit examination of live cells only for phagocytosis. Evidence is presented that Ni(2+) selectively altered the phagocytic activity of AMs at concentrations lower than those which caused cell death. It is further shown that a level of VO(3) (-) that caused extensive lysis and death did not reduce phagocytosis in surviving cells. The effects of Cd(2+), Cr(3+), and Mn(2+) on AMs were also examined.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002857:Chromium / Q000494:pharmacology; D007840:Latex; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008345:Manganese / Q000494:pharmacology; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008863:Microspheres; D009532:Nickel / Q000494:pharmacology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014131:Trace Elements; D014639:Vanadium / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D008670:Metals; D014131:Trace Elements; D002104:Cadmium; D014639:Vanadium; D002857:Chromium; D008345:Manganese; D009532:Nickel