Proliferation stimulating effects of chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos fibres on B lymphocyte cell lines
Ueki, A.; Oka, T.; Mochizuki, Y.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 56(2): 425-430
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 6329565 Document Number: 238094
Asbestos fibers of chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite were incubated with 8 types of human cell lines [Burkitt's lymphoma Raji cells, Daudi cells, lymphoblastic leukemia SB cells, peripheral blood leukocytes RPMI 1788 cells, leukemia MOLT-4 cells, K-562 cells, peripheral blood J-111 cells and fibroblast HEL-299 cells] in vitro. These asbestos fibers were cytotoxic to fibroblasts and monocyte like cells, as is already known. Immature B lymphocyte lines (B1-2) were stimulated significantly by chrysotile and crocidolite, while a mature B cell line (B3) was not affected. Cell proliferation of a T cell line and an erythromyeloid cell line also was not affected by asbestos. For the stimulation of lymphocytes, the binding of the mitogen [concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin] to the reactive sites on the lymphocyte surface is thought to be indispensable. Chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos can apparently bind to immature B lymphocytes, but not to mature B cells.