Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a critical role in the removal of inhaled particles or fibers from the lung. Species differences in AM size may affect the number and size range of particles/fibers that can be actually phagocytized and cleared by AM. The purpose of this study was to compare the cell size of rat, hamster, monkey, and human AM by selective flow cytometric analysis of cell volume. Resident AM from CD rats, Syrian golden hamsters, cynomolgus monkeys, and nonsmoking, healthy human volunteers were harvested by standard bronchoalveolar lavage procedures. Morphometric analysis of AM was performed using a flow cytometer that generates volume signals based on the Coulter-type measurement of electrical resistance. We found that hamster and rat AM had diameters of 13.6±0.4 pm (n=8) and 13.1 ±0.2 pm (n=12), respectively. Comparatively, the AM from monkeys (15.3 ± 0.5 pm, n = 7) and human volunteers (21.2 ± 0.3 pm, n = 10) were larger than those from rats and hamsters. The AM from humans were significantly larger (p <0.05) than those from all other species studied, corresponding to a 4-fold larger cell volume of human AM (4990 ± 174 pm3) compared to hamster (1328 ± 123 pm3) and rat (1166±42 pm3) AM. In summary, we have found marked species differences in the cell size of AM. We suggest that the number and size range of particles/fibers that can be phagocytized and cleared by AM may differ among species due to inherent or acquired species differences in AM cell size.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a critical role in the removal of inhaled particles or fibers from the lung. Species differences in AM size may affect the number and size range of particles/fibers that can be actually phagocytized and cleared by AM. The purpose of this study was to compare the cell size of rat, hamster, monkey, and human AM by selective flow cytometric analysis of cell volume. Resident AM from CD rats, Syrian golden hamsters, cynomolgus monkeys, and nonsmoking, healthy human volunteers were harvested by standard bronchoalveolar lavage procedures. Morphometric analysis of AM was performed using a flow cytometer that generates volume signals based on the Coulter-type measurement of electrical resistance. We found that hamster and rat AM had diameters of 13.6±0.4 pm (n=8) and 13.1 ±0.2 pm (n=12), respectively. Comparatively, the AM from monkeys (15.3 ± 0.5 pm, n = 7) and human volunteers (21.2 ± 0.3 pm, n = 10) were larger than those from rats and hamsters. The AM from humans were significantly larger (p <0.05) than those from all other species studied, corresponding to a 4-fold larger cell volume of human AM (4990 ± 174 pm3) compared to hamster (1328 ± 123 pm3) and rat (1166±42 pm3) AM. In summary, we have found marked species differences in the cell size of AM. We suggest that the number and size range of particles/fibers that can be phagocytized and cleared by AM may differ among species due to inherent or acquired species differences in AM cell size.

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Tissue macrophages (M phi) play a central and essential role in modulating the initiation and perpetuation of the inflammatory response. Phenotypical and functional differences among alveolar M phi (AM) and peritoneal M phi (PM) have been reported, but less is known about pleural M phi (PLM) and their ability and capacity to release biologically active substances. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the production of superoxide anion, nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by PLM in comparison to AM and PM in vitro. M phi from rats were isolated by lavage of the respective body compartment and characterized by evaluating the expression of the surface antigens MHC class II molecules, CD11b, and ED2-like antigen. Upon activation, AM produced significantly higher amounts of superoxide anion, NO, and TNF-alpha compared to PM and PLM. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that rat PLM resemble PM more than AM in terms of production of key inflammatory mediators.

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