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Magnetometry of ingested particles in pulmonary macrophages
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 4, 1984
Summary
Macrophage movement within the lungs causes inhaled magnetic particles to rotate, leading to a decaying magnetic field. This study confirms cellular activity as the primary driver, using magnetometry to measure this effect.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary toxicology
- Cellular biophysics
- Biomagnetism
Background:
- Inhaled magnetic dust particles in lungs exhibit rotation.
- Proposed rotation mechanisms include breathing, thermal energy, cardiac pulsations, fluid flow, and cellular movements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular mechanism of magnetic particle rotation in the lungs.
- To examine the role of pulmonary macrophage cytoplasmic movement in remanent magnetic field decay.
Main Methods:
- Magnetometry and videomicroscopy were used on pulmonary macrophages from hamsters exposed to maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) aerosol.
- Measured the decay of the magnetic field in adherent cells.
- Assessed the effect of cytoplasmic motion inhibitors on remanent-field decay rate.
Main Results:
- The magnetic field from maghemite particles in macrophages decayed rapidly to 30% within 12 minutes.
- Inhibitors of cytoplasmic motion significantly slowed the remanent-field decay rate.
- Videomicroscopy showed amoeboid macrophage motion rotating phagocytized particles.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage cytoplasmic movement is a primary cause of remanent magnetic field decay in the lungs.
- Magnetometry is a viable tool for quantifying intracellular contractile activity in pulmonary macrophages.