Type 1 pulmonary epithelial cells: a new compartment involved in the slow phase of particle clearance from alveoli. Issue 3 (May 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maynard, Robert L.; Donaldson, Kenneth; Tetley, Teresa D.
• Is Part Of: Nanotoxicology. Volume 7:Issue 3(2013:May)
• Page Start: 350
• Page End: 351
• Publication Date: 2012-05
• Subjects: Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2012.658446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5390

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Whilst alveolar macrophages normally clear micron-sized particles from the respiratory units, nanoparticles might by-pass this mechanism and interact with alveolar epithelium. This letter discusses the possible role of alveolar epithelial type 1 cells in uptake and retention of nanoparticles within the alveolar septum. Accelerated apoptosis of nanoparticle-laden type 1 cells might trigger pro-inflammatory responses during apoptotic cell removal by macrophages. In the absence of clearance of apoptotic type 1 cells by this route, release of nanoparticles by dead type 1 cells and continued retention within the alveolar septum could lead to a slow process of nanoparticle removel from within the alveolar septum, rather than surface-only clearance. We suggest that this hypothesis warrants further research.</p> </abstract>