Proliferation of lung and airway cells induced by nitrogen dioxide

Proliferation of lung cells of Chinese hamsters was examined in several regions of the lung parenchyma and ciliated airway epithelium after a 24-h exposure to 28.2 mg/m3 (15 ppm) nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Label was retained 3 wk after the injection of [3H]thymidine, and autoradiographic methods were used to localize the site of retention. By 24 h after administration of [3H]thymidine, parenchymal areas, exclusive of airways, showed an increased labeling index, indicative of cell death and replacement. This increase in the number of labeled cells persisted for 3 wk. Type II cells were labeled twice as frequently in regions of the terminal bronchiole than in other alveolar areas. Type II cell cycle time was reduced from 26 to 3 d after NO2 exposure. Alveolar macrophages were significantly labeled in the alveolar areas during the thymidine pulse at the end of the exposure episode and retained label for 3 wk. Airway epithelia showed no labeling in the trachea and progressively greater labeling in increasingly small er airways. Epithelial cells lining the small airways and alveoli showed greater susceptibility to NO2 injury than cells lining the bronchi or trachea. Nonciliated or basal cells serve as a precursor of ciliated cells in the epithelium of small airways (0.35 mm) and bronchi.