Preparation and characterization of lung-cell suspensions from two rodent species

Monodispersed suspensions of rodent lung cells provide a tool to assess pulmonary damage following exposure to known or suspected toxic gases, dusts, and vapors. Knowledge of the mechanisms of cellular damage as determined by structural or functional changes is prerequisite to understanding the progression of pulmonary disease or dysfunction. Dispersal of lung tissue into cellular suspensions began over 10 years ago. Mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic digestion have all been used to acquire cellular suspensions. The method we have developed uses a combination of collagenase digestion and mechanical dispersal to acquire suspensions with higher cell yields than previously reported; there are multiple cell types present and the cells seem to be highly viable even up to 4 h after harvest. The suspensions are being analyzed by flow cytometry for surface and intracellular organelle structure, as immunogen for the production of monoclonal antibodies, and for cell differentiation with light and electron microscopy. 14 references, 2 figures, 4 tables.