Extracellular matrix synthesis by coal dust-exposed type II epithelial cells.

Although integrity of the alveolar basement membrane may influence progression of lung injury induced by inhaled particulates, little is known about direct effects of coal dusts on the alveolar epithelium or its extracellular matrix (ECM). Effects of dust on synthesis of cell and ECM proteins by type II cells (T2P) was thus investigated. Three coal dusts (anthracite no. 867; bituminous no. 1451 and no. 1361) and mine dust MIT-3, of respirable size, were studied as a function of dose and time over 3 days of primary T2P culture. On day 1, 750 micrograms/ml of 867 were required to increase relative synthesis of ECM proteins (ECM/cell). MIT-3, 1451, and 1361 were without effect. By day 3, 867 or MIT-3 increased ECM/cell 60-100% at 300 micrograms/ml; 1451 produced modest, dose-dependent stimulation, whereas 1361 remained without effect. None of the dusts caused significant cytotoxicity. The results show dose- and time-dependent effects of well-characterized coal and mind dusts to modify partitioning of newly synthesized proteins into the ECM and suggest that coal dust exposure may modulate structure or function of the subepithelial basement membrane.