Relationship Between Carbon Black Particulate-Bound Formaldehyde, Pulmonary Antibacterial Defenses, and Alveolar Macrophage Phagocytosis

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate whether exposure to formaldehyde vapors decreases resistance to respiratory infections through dysfunctions of the alveolar macrophage phagocytic system. Additionally, the study explored whether the interactions of formaldehyde and respirable carbon black particles result in an altered susceptibility through delivery of the absorbed formaldehyde to the deep lung with the inhaled particle. This aim was accomplished through in vivo studies of alveolar macrophage-dependent intrapulmonary killing of Staphylococcus au-reus and ex vivo alveolar macrophage k-receptor-mediated phagocytosis. Exposure to 15 ppm formaldehyde impaired lung antibacterial defenses when exposure followed bacterial challenge; however, this effect was found at 1 ppm when formaldehyde exposure preceded and was continued after bacterial challenge. Coexposure to target concentration of 3.5 mg/m³ carbon black and 2.5 ppm formaldehyde or 10 mg/m³ carbon black and 5 ppm formaldehyde for 4 h after bacterial challenge had no effect on intrapulmonary staphylococcal killing; nor was there any bactericidal dysfunction found in mice coexposed for 4 h/day for 4 days followed by bacterial challenge 1 day after cessation of exposure. To determine whether any possible effect was delayed, a surrogate assay for alveolar macrophage phagocytosis, Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis, was performed at 1–, 3–, 5–, 10–, 14-, 25-, and 40-day intervals after cessation of exposure to target concentrations of 10 mg/m³ carbon black and 5 ppm formaldehyde for 4 h/day for 4 days. Alveolar macrophage phagocytosis was progressively suppressed through day 25, and thereafter the phagocytic potential recovered by day 40. Exposure to target concentration of either 10 mg/mg³ carbon black or 5 pprn formaldehyde alone had no such effect. These data demonstrate that the coexposures to carbon black and formaldehyde suppress alveolar macrophage phagocytosis whereas exposure to either agent alone has no effect.