[Pathogenic action of Erwinia herbicola. I. In vitro investigations]

The effects of antigen and endotoxin of Erwinia herbicola on physiological status of alveolar macrophages were studied in vitro. The studies comprised determination of the cytotoxicity of antigens + and their effects on superoxide anion and interleukin-1 (IL-1) generation by alveolar macrophages. It was found that tested agents were cytotoxic for alveolar macrophages in large concentrations (from 1000 micrograms/ml. In lower concentrations (1-10 micrograms/ml) they stimulated the activity of alveolar macrophages, causing significant increase in superoxide anion(O2) and IL-1 generation. Superoxide anion and IL-1 production may be of importance in pathogenesis of organic dust-induced lung diseases and our results indicate that agents associated with these diseases induced their production.