Acute pulmonary toxicity of inhaled beta-1,3-glucan and endotoxin.

The number of inflammatory cells was studied in lung walls and airways after inhalation of endotoxin or beta-1,3-glucan. In the water unsoluble form, beta-1,3-glucan caused a delayed response in terms of a decrease in macrophages and lymphocytes in the lung wall, 1 to 7 days after exposure but no invasion of neutrophils into the airways. When solubilized in 0.02 N NaOH, the cell response was the same as that observed after exposure to endotoxin.