Biological fate of asbestos in the lungs

Fibrous Morphology: A Chief Determinant of the Biological Fate of Asbestos in the Lungs

The human body relies on a number of defense mechanisms to guard against the introduction and retention of cancer-causing asbestos fibers in the lungs. In the larger airways, mucociliary action allows for the swallowing of asbestos fibers and subsequent harmless elimination. Once deeply imbedded in the lungs, asbestos fibers are subject to biological dissolution by alveolar macrophages-the primary phagocyte or cellular defender against respiratory pathogens.

Asbestos fibers in the lungs are also subject to phagocyte encapsulation-phagocytosis-which attempts to rid the lungs of foreign substances by converting them into an internal phagasome or food particle for biological elimination. Finally, asbestos fibers in the lungs are subject to encapsulation by proteins, which subsequently deposit the fibers in ferrous material in a drumstick configuration commonly known as a ferruginous body.

Human and animal studies on the biological fate of asbestos in the lungs have confirmed that fibrous morphology-fiber length-is a critical determinant of final outcomes. Longer asbestos fibers are far more resistant to the respiratory defenses against particulate invasions, and other studies have established a link between longer length fibers and a greater incidence of diseases such as asbestosis or malignant pleural mesothelioma. These same studies, however, caution that no population of inhaled asbestos fibers, regardless of length, should be excluded as a potential cause of malignant disease.

While studies show fibrous morphology plays a key role in asbestos-caused lung disease, researchers also stress the significance of the levels of exposure to the cancer-causing fibers. While any exposure to asbestos carries some risk to health, heavy and prolonged occupational or environmental exposures have been clearly linked to a greater incidence of disease. While the body's biological defenses are formidable, if large quantities of asbestos fibers are inhaled into the lungs, the eventual genesis of disease is highly probable.

To receive a FREE Mesothelioma Web information packet** or to make a request, please fill out the following form :

**For a FREE information packet including treatments, clinical trials, and specialists, please complete the form above or call a Mesothelioma Web coordinator at 1-877-367-6376.

News

Resources

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here

If you would like to receive a FREE information packet or have questions about mesothelioma, call us at:

Toll-Free 1-877-367-6376