title: Effects of dexamethasone on macrophages in fetal and neonatal rat lung.
abstract: The effects of injecting dexamethasone to pregnant and newborn rats on the subsequent production of macrophages in the lung and on their phagocytic activity and lysosomal enzyme content were evaluated from late gestation to postnatal day 10 using an organ culture system to collect macrophages. Pieces of lung tissue cultured 6 days on cover glasses produced a halo of macrophages adherent to the glass around the explants. Thymidine labeling showed that the macrophages were derived from dividing precursors in the pulmonary interstitium. DNA synthesis was reduced after steroid treatment, and fewer cells were obtained on cover glasses, particularly just after birth when the macrophage number usually increases. Phagocytic function was also diminished in cells collected after dexamethasone injection, particularly when derived from neonatal animals. In contrast, intracellular levels of non-specific esterase and glucosaminidase were increased, probably indicative of lower phagolysosome formation and lower enzyme secretion. These results demonstrate that steroid administration to fetal or newborn animals subsequently reduces the number and phagocytic activity of macrophages in the lungs. This could reduce the defense mechanisms of the neonate and increase susceptibility to infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lortie
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: I Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Adamson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D004247:DNA; D004950:Esterases; D006596:Hexosaminidases