Effects of chrysotile asbestos on mononuclear cells in vitro.
Chrysotile asbestos (400 micrograms/ml) was not found to be cytotoxic towards human blood lymphocytes in culture over a 72 h period, although there was indirect evidence of cytoxicity towards plastic adherent mononuclear cells (PAM). There was significant suppression of 3H-thymidine incorporation into cells cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence of fibres. It was found even when chrysotile was added 24 h after PHA. No suppression was found for chrysotile-treated PAM-depleted cultures in comparison to control cultures. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicty (ADCC) was inhibited by the presence of chrysotile, and appeared to be due to prevention of contact between antibody-coated target cells and effector cells.
D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D001194:Asbestos / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D001194:Asbestos