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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Measuring Carbon Content in Airway Macrophages Exposed to Carbon-Containing Particulate Matters
Published on: July 12, 2024
Warthin-starry silver method showing particulate matter in macrophage
1Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China. liuhg1125@163.com
Objective:
To verify whether Warthin-Starry (WS) silver method could detect the air particulate matter (PM)/dust particles (Ps) located within the macrophages in situ.
Methods:
There were 26 autopsy cases that resulted from cerebral hemorrhage (group A), silicosis (group B), and fetal death during pregnancy (group C). Samples were collected separately and serial sections were prepared from the lungs and lymph nodes and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), WS silver, immunohistochemistry of CD68. Furthermore, ultrathin sections were taken from the WS positive serial sections of groups A and B. Ps were observed under a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the elements of Ps were measured by X-ray spectrum analysis (X-RSA).
Results:
In both groups A and B, WS staining was positive for the larger and fine Ps, the so called "dust cells", but HE staining was almost negative for fine Ps. In group C, no larger or fine Ps were found. Immunohistochemical staining of CD68 certified that the "dust cells" containing Ps were macrophages. The results of TEM and X-RSA proved that the structure and elements of Ps belonged to PM indeed.
Conclusion:
WS staining is a better than HE staining in showing the location of PM within macrophages.
Insights
The Warthin-Starry (WS) silver stain effectively detects air particulate matter (PM) within macrophages, outperforming standard hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for visualizing these particles in lung tissue.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Toxicology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Macrophages play a crucial role in clearing inhaled particulate matter (PM).
- Accurate visualization of PM within macrophages is essential for understanding PM-related lung pathology.
- Traditional staining methods like HE may not adequately detect fine PM within cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Warthin-Starry (WS) silver stain in detecting in situ air particulate matter (PM) within macrophages.
- To compare the sensitivity of WS staining against hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for PM detection.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy samples from 26 cases (cerebral hemorrhage, silicosis, fetal death) were analyzed.
- Serial sections of lung and lymph nodes were stained using HE, WS silver, and CD68 immunohistochemistry.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray spectrum analysis (X-RSA) were used to characterize PM in WS-positive samples.
Main Results:
- WS staining clearly identified larger and fine PM within macrophages ("dust cells") in silicosis and hemorrhage groups.
- HE staining showed limited detection of fine PM compared to WS staining.
- CD68 staining confirmed "dust cells" as macrophages, and TEM/X-RSA verified the particles as PM.
Conclusions:
- Warthin-Starry (WS) silver staining is superior to HE staining for visualizing particulate matter within macrophages.
- WS staining provides enhanced sensitivity for detecting inhaled PM in lung tissues.
