吸入维生素A和皮质激素对大鼠哮喘性肺炎的疗效及TSLP表达的影响

目的:观察胸腺与肺的胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(TSLP)和Th因子在病程发展中变化,分析吸入维生素A(VA)与皮质激素对哮喘性肺炎疗效。方法:卵蛋白激发大鼠哮喘4周后休息1周,VA与皮质激素吸入治疗1周,吸入90%乙醇液作为哮喘组。通过免疫荧光染色、组织化学染色等法检查胸腺与肺。结果:激发第4～5周后,哮喘组胸腺与肺TSLP阳性细胞、肺泡巨噬细胞(AM)较多,胸腺和脾增生,血Th2因子升高,肺部炎症逐渐加重;VA组第4周胸腺与肺TSLP和Th2因子表达均较低;第5周TSLP轻度增加,胸腺、脾T细胞区增生由强转弱,AM明显增多,肺炎症逐渐消退。激素组第4～5周胸腺和肺TSLP、Th2因子表达低,胸腺、脾增生渐强。AM数量少,肺炎症渐重。结论:激发哮喘期间TSLP表达增强伴有Th2类反应,VA和皮质激素均抑制TSLP与Th2因子表达,但VA促进T淋巴细胞增生与AM清除抗原功能,停药后肺炎症逐渐消退;皮质激素停药后炎症加重。     

小鼠烟雾吸入伤后肺组织中IKK／NF-KB表达的变化及意义

目的：探讨IKK／NF—kB调控的炎症反应在小鼠烟雾吸入伤后早期肺组织损伤中的作用。方法：建立小鼠烟雾吸入伤模型,将60只C57BL／6小鼠随机分成正常对照组,烟雾吸入性损伤后2h、8h和24h组,观察肺组织病理改变,免疫组织化学测定肺组织NF-kBp65,IKK1和IKK2的表达,酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定肺组织TNF-α,IL-6和IL-1β含量。结果：病理切片显示正常对照组小鼠肺组织无明显异常,烟雾吸入后2h,8h,24h组肺部出现不同程度的炎细胞浸润、出血、水肿等;伤后2h组、8h组、24h组肺组织NF—KBp65、IKK1、IKK2免疫组化评分均高于正常组小鼠（P〈0．05）;肺组织TNFa、IL-6和IL-18含量在烟雾吸入后2h、8h、24h均高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：NF—KB信号通路与烟雾吸入伤早期肺内大量炎症因子的释放密切相关,可能是导致伤后肺组织病理性损伤的重要因素。     

Microdosimetry of rat alveolar type II cells irradiated with alpha particles from 239PuO2

The alveolar type II cell is one of the critical cells for radiation damage in the lungs after inhalation of radioactive aerosols. With the aid of a Quantimet-970 image analyzer and a VAX-11/780 computer, we calculated the radiation dose to rat alveolar type II cells from alpha particles emitted by 239PuO2. A series of dosimetric parameters for type II cells, including track length distribution, linear energy transfer (LET), values of the specific energy for a single hit of a spherical target (z1), cellular dose, hit number, and their spatial distributions were calculated. By comparing the volume density of type II cells and lung tissue with energy deposited in alveolar type II cells, we found that the energy deposited per unit volume of type II cells was larger than that of lung tissue excluding type II cells. The z1 for spherical targets and the LET across type II cells were less than those in lung tissue excluding type II cells. The age of the rat and damage to lung by inhalation may significantly influence some of the parameters. The neoplastic transformation probability for type II cells is also discussed. The results suggest that the type II cell is an important target cell in the rat lung for exposure to inhaled 239PuO2.     

Germination of Bacillus anthracis spores within alveolar macrophages

The fatal character of the infection caused by inhalation of Bacillus anthracis spores results from a complex pathogenic cycle involving the synthesis of toxins by the bacterium. We have shown using immunofluorescent staining, confocal scanning laser microscopy and image cytometry analysis that the alveolar macrophage was the primary site of B. anthracis germination in a murine inhalation infection model. Bacillus anthracis germinated inside murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells and murine alveolar macrophages. Germination occurred in vesicles derived from the phagosomal compartment. We have also demonstrated that the toxin genes and their trans -activator, AtxA, were expressed within the macrophages after germination.     

Electron microscopical findings with special reference to cancer in rats caused by inhalation of nickel oxide

A special exposure system was used for the inhalation of nickel oxide (NiO) aerosol by Wistar male rats. The median aerodynamic diameter and the geometric standard deviation were 1.2 μm and 2.2, respectively. A histopathological study of the rats was performed immediately, and at intervals of 12 and 20 mo after a 1-mo expsoure to NiO. Electron microscopy showed that localization of NiO particles was restricted to the lungs and that each particle had been engulfed by the alveolar macrophages. Type II pneumocytes and nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial cells (Clara cells), as well as numerous tubular myelin (surfactant) in the alveoli were prominent. In rats dissected after 12 mo, clusters of NiO particles were still present within the terminal bronchioli, alveolar walls, and lysosomes of the alveolar macrophages. Pools of tubular myelin were observed in the peribron-chial lymphatics. The Clara cells, which project into the lumen of bronchioli, showed active secretion and were filled with smooth en-doplasmic reticulum (SER) in the apical cytoplasm. In the experimental group sacrificed after 20 mo, one rat had papillary adenocarcinoma and two rats showed adenomatosis in the peripheral portion of the lung, but none in the upper respiratory tract.     

Changes in free and total plasma cortisol levels in juvenile haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) exposed to long-term handling stress

We measured changes in free and total plasma cortisol levels, plasma glucose, gill hsp70 levels, and growth in haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) subjected to a long-term handling stress (15 s out of water, each day, for 4 weeks), and the effect of this long-term stress on the ability of haddock to respond to an acute stressor. The acute stressor was a single handling stress, and fish were sampled at 1, 6, and 12 h post-stress. During the long-term stress study, free and total plasma cortisol levels increased significantly (10-fold) in the stressed group after the second week. However, the percentage of free cortisol was already significantly elevated by the first week (control 17%, stressed 55%), and remained high during the second week (control 35% and stressed 65%). After 3 and 4 weeks of handling, both free and total cortisol declined in stressed fish to levels that were not significantly different from pre-stress values. Control fish grew significantly more than stressed fish (by 32% and 18%, respectively) over the 4 week study, and condition factor only increased in control fish. Although fish from the control group showed elevated total plasma cortisol levels (to 47 ng mL(-1)) 1 h after the acute stress, and the levels in stressed fish were comparable to those for the control fish, no significant increase in plasma cortisol was measured in the group subjected to the long-term stress. Free plasma cortisol levels did not increase significantly in either group following the acute stress. However, free plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in long-term stress group, as compared with the control group, at 6 h post-stress. Plasma glucose and gill hsp70 levels were not altered by either the long-term stress or acute stressor. Our data indicate that cortisol (free and total), but not glucose or hsp70, appears to be adequate to assess short- and long-term stress in haddock.     

Pathogenetic process of lung tumors induced by inhalation exposures of rats to plutonium dioxide aerosols

Sequential examinations were done on the pulmonary cytokinetics and pulmonary lesions in rats after inhalation exposure to (239)PuO(2) aerosols to investigate the pathogenesis of lung tumors. Total cell yields of lavaged bronchoalveolar cells as well as the estimated numbers of pulmonary alveolar macrophages were significantly reduced from 1 to 3 months after exposure but recovered thereafter to the control levels. The proportions of multinucleated or micronucleated pulmonary alveolar macrophages increased significantly in lavaged cells from 1 month, and the increase was sustained up to 18 months after exposure. Both tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide were shown to be differentially released from stimulated cultures of pulmonary alveolar macrophages during the period from 6 to 18 months after exposure. The labeling indices of alveolar and bronchiolar epithelial cells treated with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine increased significantly in lungs from 3 months and were sustained up to 18 months after exposure. Histopathological examinations revealed that after the early inflammation, hyperplasia and metaplasia of the lining of the bronchioloalveolar epithelium were predominant from 3 to 6 months, while adenomatous or adenocarcinomatous lesions appeared and developed from 12 months after exposure. The appearance of primary lung tumors, almost all of which were adenomas and adenocarcinomas, was found in the dose range of 1 to 2 Gy from 12 months after exposures. These results indicate that the pathogenetic process initiated by early cellular damage and alterations associated with inflammation is followed by the proliferative and metaplastic lesions of pulmonary epithelium, leading to the appearance and development of pulmonary neoplasms from 1 year after the inhalation exposures in rats that received a minimum lung dose of more than 1 Gy.     

Ontogeny of macrophage subpopulations and Ia-positive dendritic cells in pulmonary tissue of the rat

Summary The development of macrophage subpopulations and dendritic cells in the rat lung was studied from day 15 of gestation until day 21 after birth by means of immunohistochemical techniques combined with acid phosphatase staining. To characterize these cell populations, monoclonal antibodies raised against rat macrophage subpopulations were used (ED1, ED2, ED7, and ED8) in addition to anti-Ia antibodies. Ia-positive cells with a dendritic morphology were found on day 16 of gestation. During ontogeny, the number of these cells gradually increased. They were always found in mesenchymal lung tissue between the epithelial tubules of future alveoli, and in perivascular or peribronchial areas. ED1-positive macrophages were found on day 17 of gestation, with a distribution different from that of Ia-positive dendritic cells. The distribution of ED1-positive cells changed during ontogeny: before birth, ED1-positive cells were present in mesenchymal areas of lung tissue, whereas after the first week of postnatal life ED1 recognized all free alveolar macrophages. No Ia-expression was found on free alveolar macrophages. This developmental pattern resembles the ontogeny of Ia-positive dendritic cells and ED1-positive macrophages in gutassociated tissue. The comparable development of these cell populations in gut and lung tissue indicates a common ontogeny in the mucosal immune system.Fellow of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences     

纤维支气管镜吸痰联合肺泡灌洗在肺癌术后合并肺部感染患者中的临床应用价值

目的:探讨纤维支气管镜吸痰联合肺泡灌洗在肺癌术后合并肺部感染患者中的临床应用价值。方法:选择2017年1月-2020年12月间来江苏省人民医院接受治疗的82例肺癌术后合并肺部感染患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(纤维支气管镜吸痰、常规治疗)和研究组(纤维支气管镜吸痰、常规治疗、肺泡灌洗),各41例,对照组给予常规抗感染加纤维支气管镜吸痰治疗,研究组在对照组基础上结合肺泡灌洗治疗,观察两组疗效,对比两组呼吸功能、生活质量和外周血辅助性T细胞17(Th17细胞)/调节性T细胞(Treg)变化。结果:研究组的临床总有效率优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗1周后,两组气道阻力(Raw)、气道峰压(PIP)、呼吸做功(WOB)降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗1周后,两组Th17细胞占单个核细胞百分比、白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-17(IL-17)降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05),治疗1周后,两组Treg细胞占单个核细胞百分比、白介素-10(IL-10)升高,且研究组高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗1周后,两组社会/家庭状况、生理状况、与医生的关系、功能状况、附加的关注情况、情感状况等领域评分升高,且研究组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:纤维支气管镜吸痰联合肺泡灌洗可促进肺癌术后合并肺部感染患者呼吸功能改善,调节外周血Th17细胞/Treg细胞失衡,促进生活质量提高。     

Electron Microscopic Study of the Phagocytosis Process in Lung

Diluted India ink was instilled into the nasal cavity of mice and the lungs of some animals were fixed with osmium tetroxide at various intervals after one instillation. The lungs of other animals were fixed after 4, 7, 9, 16, or 18 daily instillations. The India ink was found to be phagocytized almost exclusively by the free alveolar macrophages. A few particles are occasionally seen within thin portions of alveolar epithelium, within the "small" alveolar epithelial cells, or within occasional leukocytes in the lumina of alveoli. The particles are ingested by an invagination process of the plasma membrane resulting in the formation of intracellular vesicles and vacuoles. Ultimately large amounts of India ink accumulate in the cell, occupying substantial portions of the cytoplasm. The surfaces of phagocytizing macrophages show signs of intense motility. Their cytoplasm contains numerous particles, resembling Palade particles, and a large amount of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. These structures are interpreted as indicative of protein synthesis. At the level of resolution achieved in this study the membranes of this reticulum appear as single dense "lines." On the other hand, the plasma membrane and the limiting membranes of vesicles and of vacuoles often exhibit the double-line structure typical of unit membranes (Robertson, 37). The inclusion bodies appear to be the product of phagocytosis. It is believed that some of them derive from the vacuoles mentioned above, and that they correspond to similar structures seen in phase contrast cinemicrographs of culture cells. Their matrix represents phagocytized material. Certain structures within this matrix are considered as secondary and some of these structures possess an ordered form probably indicative of the presence of lipid. The possible origin and the fate of alveolar macrophages are briefly discussed.     

Measurement of Free Radicals from Smoke Inhalation and Oxygen Exposure by Spin Trapping and Esr Spectroscopy

Research in smoke inhalation has established that free radicals are produced from gases released during combustion and these species impair lung function. Using spin traps and their adducts in an animal model free radicals were measured. Various hyperbaric oxygen regimens were tested in an attempt to attenuate pulmonary damage caused by free radical reactions. Our data demonstrated that persistent oxygen- and carbon-centered free radicals are detectable in intravascular fluids after smoke inhalation. The smoke inhalation model showed however, clearing of spin trap adducts one hour after smoke exposure. Other researchers have found that when 100% oxygen is given at 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA) for 1 h, free radicals were not detectable. However, oxygen given at 2.5 ATA does produce detectable free radicals. With continued exposure at this pressure, the levels of free radicals increase for up to 60min. This study suggests that the level of free radical induced oxygen toxicity may be a function of oxygen pressure and duration of oxygen exposure.     

辛伐他汀对烟雾吸入性肺损伤大鼠炎性因子及氧化应激反应的影响

目的:研究辛伐他汀对烟雾吸入性肺损伤大鼠炎性因子及氧化应激反应的影响。方法:选取60只清洁级SD大鼠,将其按照随机抽签法分成正常组、盐水组以及辛伐他汀组,每组各20只。盐水组与辛伐他汀组大鼠均制备发烟罐烟雾吸入性肺损伤模型,建模成功后30 min,辛伐他汀组大鼠予以50 mg/kg剂量的辛伐他汀灌胃,盐水组则予以等量的生理盐水灌胃,正常大鼠予以正常饲养处理。采用酶联免疫法检测血清、肺泡灌洗液中炎症因子[包括白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)]及氧化应激反应指标[包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)]水平。结果:盐水组、辛伐他汀组大鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液中IL-6、TNF-α水平均高于正常组,且辛伐他汀组大鼠上述各项指标低于盐水组(均P<0.05)。盐水组、辛伐他汀组大鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液中SOD水平低于正常组,辛伐他汀组明显高于盐水组(均P<0.05),盐水组、辛伐他汀组大鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液中MDA水平高于正常组,辛伐他汀组明显低于盐水组(均P<0.05)。结论:辛伐他汀对烟雾吸入性肺损伤大鼠的炎性因子具有明显的改善作用,且有利于减轻大鼠的氧化应激反应程度。     

Alveolar macrophage activation in experimental legionellosis.

Legionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular parasite of alveolar macrophages. In vitro studies have shown that lymphokine-activated mononuclear phagocytes inhibit intracellular replication of L. pneumophila. To determine if recovery from legionellosis is associated with activation of alveolar macrophages in vivo to resist L. pneumophila, we studied an animal model of Legionnaires' disease. Rats were exposed to aerosolized L. pneumophila and alveolar macrophages were harvested during the recovery phase of infection. We compared these alveolar exudate macrophages with normal resident alveolar macrophages for the capacity to support or inhibit the intracellular growth of L. pneumophila. We also measured Ia expression as a marker of immunologic activation, and studied binding of bacteria, superoxide release, and the expression of transferrin receptors as potential mechanisms of resistance to L. pneumophila. For perspective on the specificity of these responses, we also studied alveolar exudate cells elicited by inhalation of heat-killed L. pneumophila, live Listeria monocytogenes, and live Escherichia coli. We found that alveolar exudate macrophages elicited by live L. pneumophila, but not heat-killed L. pneumophila, resisted the intracellular growth of L. pneumophila. Exudate macrophages in resolving legionellosis exhibited increased Ia expression, diminished superoxide production, and downregulation of transferrin receptors. Binding of L. pneumophila to exudate macrophages was indistinguishable from that to resident macrophages in the presence of normal serum, and augmented in the presence of immune serum. Alveolar exudate macrophages elicited by E. coli also inhibited growth of L. pneumophila, and exhibited a modest increase in Ia expression without change in transferrin receptors. Exudate cells induced by L. monocytogenes exhibited up-regulation of Ia without diminution of superoxide release. Alveolar cells harvested after inhalation of heat-killed L. pneumophila did not differ from resident alveolar macrophages in the expression of surface markers. These findings suggest that alveolar macrophages are immunologically activated in vivo to serve as effector cells in resolving legionellosis, and that live bacteria are required to induce this expression of immunity. The mechanism of resistance to parasitism by L. pneumophila may entail restriction of the intracellular availability of iron, but does not involve diminished bacterial binding or an augmented respiratory burst.     

Pneumonia due to mycoplasma in gnotobiotic mice. II. Localization of Mycoplasma pulmonis in the lungs of infected gnotobiotic mice by electron microscopy

Organick, Avrum B. (Marquette University School of Medicine, Milwaukee, Wis.), Kenneth A. Siegesmund, and Irving I. Lutsky. Pneumonia due to mycoplasma in gnotobiotic mice. II. Localization of Mycoplasma pulmonis in the lungs of infected gnotobiotic mice by electron microscopy. J. Bacteriol. 92:1164-1176. 1966.-Lesions in lungs of gnotobiotic mice inoculated intranasally with Mycoplasma pulmonis were examined by electron microscopy after osmic acid fixation. At 1 week after infection, mycoplasma cells were found in large numbers in the bronchi at the surface of bronchial epithelial cells and, in smaller numbers, in the alveoli where active phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) occurred. Cytopathic changes in underlying bronchial epithelial cells, not apparent by light microscopy, were observed. At 3 weeks after infection, mycoplasma cells were rarely seen in the bronchi, and were no longer seen free in the alveolar spaces or within PMN. Lungs examined after glutaraldehyde fixation 1 week after infection confirmed the presence of mycoplasma cells in the alveolar spaces and within phagocytic vacuoles of PMN, but also revealed numerous ring forms within granular pneumocytes. These forms seemed to represent intracytoplasmic developmental stages of M. pulmonis, in which elementary bodies appeared in large numbers.     

Subspecies differences in hormonal and behavioral responses after group formation in squirrel monkeys

The behavioral and hormonal responses of squirrel monkeys of the Bolivian and Guyanese subspecies were compared after a group formation procedure. Two groups of each subspecies, consisting of five females and three males (later reduced to two) were observed daily during the week of group formation and for nine weeks following removal of a single male from each group. Measures of plasma cortisol were examined in the females after the initial group formation and after the groups were reduced by one male. The levels of plasma testosterone were assessed in all the males during the initial week of group formation. Linear dominance hierarchies were determined both within and across the sexes in both subspecies. The frequency and directionality of low-level aggressive interactions indicated that females of the Bolivian subspecies were dominant to the males, while the males of the Guyanese subspecies ranked over all the females. Additionally, the Bolivian squirrel monkey females showed an elevation of plasma cortisol on the day of group formation, which declined 48 hr later, then reelevated after the groups were reduced by one male and declined gradually over a nine-week period. Guyanese females showed little change in cortisol levels during both periods. This suggests fundamental hormonal, as well as behavioral, differences between the two subspecies. The change in plasma testosterone levels in the males during the initial week of group formation was positively correlated with social status. Furthermore, differences in the dynamics within individual groups for each subspecies were reflected by the levels of plasma cortisol of the female members.     

钛镍记忆合金牵张器复合脱细胞真皮基质增高犬牙槽嵴的初步研究

目的用成年杂种犬建立钛镍记忆合金牵张器复合脱细胞真皮基质增高犬牙槽嵴动物模型,为下一步利用钛镍记忆合金牵张器行下颌后牙牙槽嵴增高术奠定基础。方法健康成年雄性杂种犬4只。全麻下拔除双侧下颌4个前磨牙和第一磨牙,1个月后拍摄双侧后牙区X线光片,观察拔牙窝愈合情况。采用4种类型的牵张器随机在4只犬的下颌两侧行牵张手术并观察牵张后1周和1月牙槽嵴增高的情况。结果拔牙后1个月,牙槽嵴黏膜愈合良好。X线片示下颌神经管清晰可见,其上方牙槽窝内有较低密度骨质存在。放置4种牵张器牵张术后1周、1月后牙槽嵴增高的高度分别为3.24 mm、3.76 mm、4.58 mm、5.09 mm;3.15 mm、3.67 mm、4.64 mm、5.01mm,术后一周X线可见后有明显的牵张间隙,1月时牵张区有新骨形成,骨密度增高。结论犬耐受力强,后牙区下颌骨体积大,手术易操作,是理想的牙槽嵴萎缩动物模型。拔牙后1个月,拔牙创愈合良好,可以进行牵张手术。D组＂S＂形牵张器牵张后的高度比较理想,能满足后期种植体的植入。     

A microfluidic approach to encapsulate living cells in uniform alginate hydrogel microparticles

A microfluidic technique is described to encapsulate living cells in alginate hydrogel microparticles generated from monodisperse double-emulsion templates. A microcapillary device is used to fabricate double emulsion templates composed of an alginate drop surrounded by a mineral oil shell. Hydrogel formation begins when the alginate drop separates from the mineral oil shell and comes into contact with Ca(2+) ions in the continuous phase. Alginate hydrogel microparticles with diameters ranging from 60 to 230 μm are obtained. 65% of the cells encapsulated in the alginate microparticles were viable after one week. The technique provides a useful means to encapsulate the living cells in monodisperse hydrogel microparticles.     

Maturational Changes in Alveolar Bone of Adult Rats

Structural and cellular alterations of interproximal alveolar bone were quantified by histomorphometry in 36 Wistar rats over an 18 week period. Half of the rats were fed a standard diet and half were fed a high-sucrose diet from time of weaning. Six animals from each diet group were sacrificed at 10, 18 and 28 weeks of age, one hour after labeling with tritiated thymidine. Autoradiographs were prepared from histological sections, and the interproximal area between first and second maxillary molars was evaluated, Periodontal ligament width, cell populations and cell proliferation were reduced by 18 weeks of age. By 28 weeks of age, significant reductions of bone dimensions were detected and a further decrease in fibroblast proliferation was evident. The influence of diet on the changes observed was relatively minor. Evidence from this investigation supports the concept that changes in alveolar bone are initiated early in the life span of the rat, and provides a quantitative basis for future use of the rat model in similar studies.     

Effect of inhaled crystalline silica in a rat model: time course of pulmonary reactions

Numerous investigations have been conducted to elucidate mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of silicosis. However, most of these studies involved bolus exposure of rats to silica, i.e. intratracheal instillation or a short duration inhalation exposure to a high dose of silica. Therefore, the question of pulmonary overload has been an issue in these studies. The objective of the current investigation was to monitor the time course of pulmonary reactions of rats exposed by inhalation to a non-overload level of crystalline silica. To accomplish this, rats were exposed to 15 mg/m3 silica, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for up to 116 days of exposure. At various times (5-116 days exposure), animals were sacrificed and silica lung burden, lung damage, inflammation, NF-KB activation, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production, cytokine production, alveolar type II epithelial cell activity, and fibrosis were monitored. Activation of NF-KB/DNA binding in BAL cells was evident after 5 days of silica inhalation and increased linearly with continued exposure. Parameters of pulmonary damage, inflammation and alveolar type II epithelial cell activity rapidly increased to a significantly elevated but stable new level through the first 41 days of exposure and increased at a steep rate thereafter. Pulmonary fibrosis was measurable only after this explosive rise in lung damage and inflammation, as was the steep increase in TNF-alpha and IL-1 production from BAL cells and the dramatic rise in lavageable alveolar macrophages. Indicators of oxidant stress and pulmonary production of nitric oxide exhibited a time course which was similar to that for lung damage and inflammation with the steep rise correlating with initiation of pulmonary fibrosis. Staining for iNOS and nitrotyrosine was localized in granulomatous regions of the lung and bronchial associated lymphoid tissue. Therefore, these data demonstrate that the generation of oxidants and nitric oxide, in particular, is temporally and anatomically associated with the development of lung damage, inflammation, granulomas and fibrosis. This suggests an important role for nitric oxide in the initiation of silicosis.