Polyanions protect against the in vitro pulmonary toxicity of polycationic paint components associated with the Ardystil syndrome.

The polycationic paint components of the Acramin F system have led to severe pulmonary disease in textile printing sprayers in Spain and Algeria (Ardystil syndrome). In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the toxicity of these nitrogen-containing polymeric paint components, Acramin FWR (FWR), Acramin FWN (FWN), and Acrafix FHN (FHN), we have studied the effect of coincubation with polyanionic compounds, Sulodexide (heparin-like substance), DNA and poly-l-glutamic acid (of different lengths) in different pulmonary cell types. This study shows that the cytotoxicity of the three polycationic paint components FWR (a polyurea), FWN (a polyamide-amine), and FHN (a polyamine) is markedly decreased in the presence of the polyanions.

Ozone-induced micronuclei frequency in rat alveolar Type II cells.

The effect of ozone, a ubiquitous air pollutant, was tested on cultured pulmonary epithelial type II cells isolated from rats. After 40-hour culture, the cells were exposed for 6 h to 400 ppb of ozone or air. The number of micronucleated cells was counted after the exposure.

Genotoxic effects of carbon black particles, diesel exhaust particles, and urban air particulates and their extracts on a human alveolar epithelial cell line (A549) and a human monocytic cell line (THP-1).

The possible genotoxicity of small particulate matter has been under investigation for the last 10 years. Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are considered as "probably carcinogenic" (IARC group 2A) and a number of studies show genotoxic effects of urban particulate matter (UPM). Carbon black (CB) is carcinogenic in rats.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) cytotoxicity in rat type II pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages in vitro.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP) liver and kidney cytotoxicity is associated with bioactivation by P450 and/or prostaglandin H synthetase (PGHS) to a reactive metabolite, which depletes GSH, covalently binds to proteins, and leads to oxidative stress. Although APAP may also damage the lung, little is known about the mechanism by which this occurs. We studied the in vitro 24-hr-old type II pneumocytes.

Production of the acute-phase protein lipopolysaccharide-binding protein by respiratory type II epithelial cells: implications for local defense to bacterial endotoxins.

This study demonstrates for the first time that respiratory epithelial cells are able to produce the acute phase protein lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP), which is known to play a central role in the defense to bacterial endotoxins (or LPS). Indications for local presence of LBP in human lung was obtained via reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction that showed LBP messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Therefore, LBP production by the human lung epithelial cell line A549, a human adenocarcinoma with features of type II pneumocytes, was studied.

A comparative study of the isolation of type II epithelial cells from rat, hamster, pig and human lung tissue.

Data is reported on the reproducibility and purity of alveolar type II cell isolations from 4 species. Human and pig type II cells were isolated using a tissue slice method to remove blood and contaminating cells, whilst rat and hamster cells were isolated using the method of protease instillation. All cells were purified on Percoll gradients and by differential attachment.

Polyamines in the lung: polyamine uptake and polyamine-linked pathological or toxicological conditions.

The natural polyamines putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, and spermine are found in all cells. These (poly)cations exert interactions with anions, e.g.

In vitro cytotoxicity of various forms of cobalt for rat alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes.

It has been shown that cobalt (Co) and the mixture cobalt-tungsten carbide (CoWC) are cytotoxic for alveolar macrophages (AM) and alveolar type II cells (AT-II), but the exact mechanisms of toxicity are not entirely elucidated. In this study, we exposed primary cultures of AT-II and AM, in vitro, to different forms of Co (Co particles, CoWC particles, CoCl(2)) and assessed cell damage using the dimethylthiazol diphenyl tetrazolium bromide test. In some experiments, inserts were used to separate the particles from the cells.

In vitro cytotoxicity of textile paint components linked to the "Ardystil syndrome".

The spraying of a paint formula (Acramin F system) had led to severe pulmonary disease in textile printing sprayers in Spain and Algeria (Ardystil syndrome). In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the toxicity of this paint and its main polymeric components, Acramin FWR, Acramin FWN, Acrafix FHN, and Acramoll W, we have undertaken studies using a battery of different cell-types and assessing in vitro cytotoxicity by measuring LDH leakage. This study shows that, as in in vivo studies, the three polycationic paint components, Acramin FWR (a polyurea), Acramin FWN (a polyamide-amine), and Acrafix FHN (a polyamine) exhibited considerable cytotoxicity (LC50 generally below 100 microg/ml for an incubation of 20-24 h) in vitro, while Acramoll W, which is not a polycation, was almost non-toxic (in the concentration range tested).

Usefulness of biomarkers of exposure to inorganic mercury, lead, or cadmium in controlling occupational and environmental risks of nephrotoxicity.

A successful prevention of renal diseases induced by occupational or environmental exposure to toxic metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), or cadmium (Cd) largely relies on the capability to detect nephrotoxic effects at a stage when they are still reversible or at least not yet compromising renal function. The knowledge of dose-effect/response relations has been useful to control nephrotoxic effects of these metals through a "biological monitoring of exposure approach". Chronic occupational exposure to inorganic mercury (mainly mercury vapor) may result in renal alterations affecting both tubules and glomeruli.

pGR71 plasmid promotor sequence temporally regulated in Bacillus subtilis.

pGR71, a composite of plasmids pUB110 and pBR322, replicates in Escherichia coli and in Bacillus subtilis. It carries the chloramphenicol resistance gene (cat) from Tn9, which is not transcribed in either host by lack of a promoter. The cat gene is preceded by a Shine-Dalgarno sequence functional in E.

Investigation of the transport of intact glutathione in human and rat type II pneumocytes.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is transmembrane transport of intact glutathione ([3H]-GSH, 0.1 microCi) in rat and human type II pneumocytes (T2P), and if this transport might be dependent on the redox state of the extracellular fluid. The T2P were pretreated with acivicin (250 microM) to inhibit gamma-glutamyltransferase activity and with L-buthionine-[SR]-sulfoximine (1 mM) to inhibit intracellular GSH synthesis.

Genetic heterogeneity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Belgium.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), the etiological agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted by the bite of Ixodes ricinus.

Species-specific plasmid sequences for PCR identification of the three species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato involved in Lyme disease.

Species-specific sequences were shown to be carried by plasmids of the three main species of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato involved in Lyme disease. Libraries of the 16-, 33-, and 25-kb plasmids of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia afzelii, respectively, were then built and used to isolate species-specific sequences.

Epidemic of liver disease caused by hydrochlorofluorocarbons used as ozone-sparing substitutes of chlorofluorocarbons.

Background: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are used increasingly in industry as substitutes for ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Limited studies in animals indicate potential hepatotoxicity of some of these compounds. We investigated an epidemic of liver disease in nine industrial workers who had had repeated accidental exposure to a mixture of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC 123) and 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC 124).

In vitro toxicity of cobalt and hard metal dust in rat and human type II pneumocytes.

It has been demonstrated that hard metal dust, which consists of a mixture of cobalt and tungsten carbide, is more toxic toward mouse peritoneal and rat alveolar macrophages than pure cobalt (Co) or tungsten carbide (WC). The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of Co and hard metal dust on alveolar epithelial type II cells (AT-II), and to compare these with alveolar macrophages. Freshly isolated rat and human AT-II and rat alveolar macrophages were exposed for 18 hr to particles of Co, WC or Co/WC.

Effects of oxygen pressure and medium volume on the toxicity of paraquat in rat and human type II pneumocytes.

The herbicide, paraquat is highly toxic for mammals, with the lungs being the main target organ, because of the active accumulation of the compound in this organ. The cellular toxicity of paraquat has been shown to be an O2-driven process and hyperoxia is known to increase the lethality of paraquat. In this study we have examined the effect of various O2 concentrations on the toxicity of paraquat in rat and human type II pneumocytes in culture, and we have tested whether the thickness of the liquid layer above the cells would influence the toxicity of paraquat.

Cloning and sequencing of a species-specific nucleotide fragment of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, which is repeated in several plasmids of the species.

Among the etiological agents of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto strains carry a 16 kb plasmid, which did not hybridize to plasmids of B. garinii and B. afzelii strains.

Putrescine uptake in rat type II pneumocytes correlates with gamma-glutamyltransferase activity.

gamma-Glutamyltransferase (gamma GT) is a key enzyme in glutathione metabolism and it is thought also to play a role in the uptake of polyamines such as putrescine. The aim of our study was to investigate if changes in gamma GT activity would alter total putrescine uptake [P(up)(tot)], as well as more specific uptake via the gamma GT pathway [P(up)(gamma GT)]. Forty-eight hours after their isolation, rat type II cells were exposed to 30, 60 or 125 microM L-buthionine-[SR]-sulfoximine (BSO) for 3 hr; 200 or 800 microM tertiary-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) for 40 min; 10, 100 or 1000 microM paraquat (PQ) for 1 hr; and 60 or 85% O2 for 48 hr.

In vitro modulation of the P450 activities of hamster and human lung slices.

The respiratory tract is a portal of entry for many environmental chemicals. The respiratory tract plays an important role in the detoxification or metabolic activation of these chemicals, e.g.