title: Ultrastructural heterogeneity of the alveolar macrophages from tobacco smokers with chronic bronchitis.
abstract: Alveolar macrophages recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage from 14 heavy smokers with chronic bronchitis were assessed. Ultrastructural examination revealed marked cellular heterogeneity. Three subpopulations of alveolar macrophages were readily identifiable. These have been termed "young," "mature," and "degrading," reflecting their ultrastructural features. In addition, a majority of the cells were found to be positive by TUNEL staining, indicating DNA damage, but a very small percentage tested positive for Caspase-3, suggesting that apoptosis might not account for the DNA damage in at least some of these cells. A small percentage of proliferating cells were noted.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-5125, USA.
authors: V V
authors: VV
authors: Polosukhin
authors: L S
authors: LS
authors: Manouilova
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Romberger
authors: K I
authors: KI
authors: Matthews
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Pirruccello
authors: W
authors: W
authors: West
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Daughton
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Millatmal
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Umino
authors: S I
authors: SI
authors: Rennard
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases