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Role of Interferon-γ in the Development of Murine Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissues Induced by Silica in Vivo
- Source :
-
Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology . Nov2002, Vol. 185 Issue 1, p1. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- Exposure to silica is associated with the development of chronic airflow obstruction as well as pulmonary fibrosis, probably mediated in part by silica-induced small airway disease. To elucidate the mechanism of mucosal immune responses in the small airways, we analyzed the roles of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) using mice deficient of this cytokine in silicotic lung. IFN-γ knockout mice (−/−) and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were treated with either a single fibrogenic dose of silica or an equivalent volume of saline and euthanized 21 days after intratracheal instillation. Total cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids increased in silica-instilled mice compared to saline-instilled mice, but there were no significant differences between IFN-γ knockout mice and wild-type mice treated with silica. Morphometric estimation for fibrotic lesions within the lung did not show any differences between these mice. However, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues (BALT), which are known to be involved in the mucosal immune responses, were significantly larger in the lungs of IFN-γ knockout mice than in those of wild-type mice treated with silica. In addition, we evaluated the development of BALT in interleukin 4 (IL-4) knockout mice in order to clarify the effect of Th2 cytokine. Morphometric estimation for BALT did not show any differences between IL-4 knockout mice and wild-type mice in silicotic lung. These results suggest that IFN-γ has an inhibitory effect on the development of BALT and may be involved in small airway disease in silicotic lung. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *RESPIRATORY obstructions
*CYTOKINES
*LYMPHOID tissue
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0041008X
- Volume :
- 185
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 8579931
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1006/taap.2002.9511