[In vitro effect of alveolar macrophages of dust-exposed rabbit on lung fibroblasts (V79)].

This is a study of the interactions between rabbit alveolar macrophages (AM) and Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79) mediated by Xinkang chrysotile asbestos, UICC Canadian chrysotile B asbestos, quartz and pure titanium dioxide on (1) fibroblast proliferation, (2) collagen synthesis and (3) morphological changes. In comparison with the control, the results of 3H-TdR incorporation, histochemical staining and quantitative microscopic observation of V79 cell suggested that the supernatants of AM treated by the four kinds of dust could stimulate the proliferation and collagen accumulation of V79 cell group. As to the degree of fibrosis resulting from the dust, Xinkang asbestos was noted to be similar to quartz but stronger than UICC asbestos; the effect of TiO2 was the weakest.