Free lung cell phagocytosis and the effect of cigarette smoke exposure

We report on a technique for studying phagocytosis in free lung cells with the use of fungal spores. Free lung cells were obtained from a bronchial lavage. They were incubated with fungal spores and the engulfment of these spores was studied at various time intervals and under different conditions. The phagocytosis process was found to occur from relatively stationary macrophages within the first hours after incubation. The number of engulfed spores was proportional to their number in the solution. Addition of serum or surfactant to the medium increased the phagocytosis rate. In hamsters and rats exposed to tobacco smoke under in vivo conditions, a dose-related increase in phagocytosis rate could be demonstrated.