Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
07:54

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice

Published on: December 21, 2019

The ingestion of asbestos fibers

I Webster

    Environmental Health Perspectives
    |December 1, 1974
    PubMed

    Insights

    Asbestos fibers were found in baboon gut tissue, suggesting macrophages transport them. Pleural plaques may result from immune responses to asbestos-related proteins, not direct asbestos toxicity.

    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Health
    • Toxicology
    • Pathology

    Background:

    • Asbestos exposure is linked to various health issues, including mesothelioma and gastrointestinal cancers.
    • The biological mechanisms underlying asbestos-related diseases are not fully understood.
    • Previous studies have focused on direct asbestos fiber effects, overlooking potential immune responses.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the distribution and fate of ingested asbestos fibers in mammalian tissues.
    • To explore the potential role of ferritin protein coating on asbestos fibers in pathological reactions.
    • To re-evaluate the etiology of asbestos-related pleural plaques and peritoneal nodules.

    Main Methods:

    • Baboons were fed crocidolite asbestos.
    • Ashed tissue samples of the gut wall were examined for asbestos needles.
    • Analysis focused on the presence of asbestos within macrophages and associated proteins.

    Main Results:

    • Small numbers of asbestos needles (0.5-1 µm) were identified in the ashed tissue of the baboon gut wall.
    • These needles were likely associated with iron-containing macrophages, indicating cellular uptake and transport.
    • Pleural plaques and peritoneal hyaline nodules are hypothesized to be hypersensitivity reactions to ferritin protein on asbestos fibers.

    Conclusions:

    • Ingested asbestos fibers can be transported within the gastrointestinal tract by macrophages.
    • The formation of pleural plaques and peritoneal nodules may be an immune-mediated response to asbestos-associated proteins rather than direct asbestos toxicity.
    • The low incidence of peritoneal mesothelioma in South African asbestos mining areas and normal gastrointestinal carcinoma rates suggest complex etiological factors.

    More Related Videos

    A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust10:45

    A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust

    Published on: January 6, 2023

    Using Nicotine in a Silica-Exposed Mouse Model to Promote Lung Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition06:12

    Using Nicotine in a Silica-Exposed Mouse Model to Promote Lung Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

    Published on: March 3, 2023

    Related Concept Videos

    Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction01:22

    Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction

    Esophageal perforation is a severe medical condition characterized by a breach in the integrity of the esophageal wall. This breach can occur due to various factors such as trauma, medical procedures, or underlying diseases. When the esophageal wall is compromised, it allows food, fluids, and digestive juices into the chest cavity or adjacent structures, leading to potential complications and health risks.
    The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus.
    Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction01:30

    Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction

    Esophageal strictures involve abnormal narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. They vary in length and severity, ranging from mild constriction to complete obstruction, and are classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
    Etiology
    The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
    Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

    Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

    Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
    Inhalation Anthrax01:25

    Inhalation Anthrax

    Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
    Amebiasis01:28

    Amebiasis

    Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
    Esophageal Achalasia01:27

    Esophageal Achalasia

    Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...