Tannin-mediated secretion of a neutrophil chemotactic factor from alveolar macrophages. Potential contribution to the acute pulmonary inflammatory reaction associated with byssinosis.

Inhalation of cotton mill dust or condensed tannin, a major botanical component of cotton mill dust, induces an acute pulmonary inflammatory response characterized by a rapid influx of neutrophils into the airways. The development of neutrophil alveolitis caused by tannin inhalation is accompanied by the accumulation of low molecular weight neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF) in the airways. To determine if the alveolar macrophage is the source of this NCF, the ability of tannin to induce the secretion of NCF from rabbit alveolar macrophages was examined in vitro. Tannin did promote the secretion of NCF from alveolar macrophages in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Secretion began immediately after challenge and was maximal after 4 to 5 h. Maximal secretion occurred at a tannin concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. Comparison with the dose response for NCF secretion by cotton dust extract indicated that tannin was the major component in the dust responsible for NCF secretion from alveolar macrophages in the time period examined. The NCF had an apparent molecular weight of greater than 800 as determined by gel chromatography. The NCF could be extracted into organic solvents, suggesting it was a lipid. Its secretion, however, could not be prevented by treatment of the macrophages with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaretic acid, demonstrating that the NCF was not leukotriene B4. These data indicate that the action of tannin on resident alveolar macrophages results in the secretion of a NCF that may be responsible for the acute neutrophil alveolitis associated with inhalation of cotton dust.