Growth changes of 3T3 cells in the presence of mineral fibers.
The relationship between exposure to asbestos fibers and the development of mesothelioma or bronchial carcinoma prompted many countries to ban its use from commercial products. The biological mechanism by which asbestos induces or promotes mesothelioma or carcinoma is still unknown. In order to study the influence of fibers on the cell surface, 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured in the presence of various mineral fibers. The acute cytotoxicity produced by mineral fibers was evaluated by the trypan blue dye exclusion method; growth of 3T3 cells was measured as well as the maximum cell density at saturation. We found that growth of 3T3 cells was slower in the presence of chrysotile while light microscopy revealed an increased cellular chromogenicity and a modification of the cell-cell arrangement in the presence of this fiber. We describe an assay in which chrysotile causes an increase in the maximum cell density at saturation.
D000818:Animals; D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity*; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice
D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D001194:Asbestos