Publication: Effects of exposure to fluoro-edenite fibre pollution on the respiratory system: an in vivo model
Authors
Martinez, G. ; Loreto, C. ; Rapisarda, V. ; Masumeci, G. ; Valentino, M. ; Carnazza, M.L.
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Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
An increased standardised rate of mortality
from pleural mesothelioma among the population of
Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) has been attributed to exposure
to fluoro-edenite fibres. Our aim was to establish
whether and how these fibres may induce pathological
effects using an in vivo model.
Lung tissue collected from 60 healthy sheep selected
from six flocks habitually grazing near Biancavilla and
from 10 control sheep was fixed formalin and paraffinembedded;
sections were stained with haematoxylineosin,
Masson trichrome and Gomori argentic
impregnation. Histochemical studies and
immunohistochemical analysis for the localisation of
TRAIL, DR5 and MMP13 were also performed.
The lungs of exposed sheep exhibited fibrosis and
loss of alveolar architecture with honeycombing of
alveolar cavities. Fluoro-edenite fibres were detected
close to the alveolar epithelium and interstitia. The
parenchyma showed hyaline degeneration and strong
PAS-positivity in the interstitium, proteoglycan
alterations, reflecting a damaged basal membrane and an
involvement of the interstitial matrix. MMP-13 was
overexpressed, mainly in fibroblasts and epithelial cells,
while positivity for TRAIL and DR5 was detected on alveolar surfaces and in the vascular stroma.
The initial pathological event seems to involve first
the alveoli and subsequently the interstitium, giving rise
to classic honeycombing. The triggering event at the
level of type I pneumocytes would damage the
cytoplasmic membrane resulting in loss of cell elements
and exposure of underlying capillaries, and eventually in
a series of reactions including macrophage activation,
possible release of growth factors and metaplasic
reconstruction of lung alveoli. Immunopositivity for
TRAIL and MMP-13 receptor suggests that apoptotic
processes may also be activated by fluoro-edenite.
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