Long-Term Effect of 3Methylcholanthrene-Coated Asbestos Fibres on the Immune Status of F1(NZB*C57B1/6) Mice

There are several pieces of evidence that asbestos is a carcinogenic substance. Asbestos exposure also affects the immune system, what may be relevant for carcinogenic process. The immunological outcome of exposure depends in part on the genetically dependent responsiveness of the host (Matej et al. 1978). Among environmental factors polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) increases the risk of asbestos-related cancer (Mossman et al. 1983). This effect also depends on the inherited ability of the host to metabolize PAH to ultimate carcinogens (Kouri et al. 1980). Both asbestos and PAH augment their carcinogenic potential, however, this effect is not seen when asbestos-related immunopathology is evaluated (Lange 1980, Wagner 1981). Therefore, study on the interaction between PAH and asbestos fibres should address the question of the effect on the immune system. To make this work possible an appriopriate model has to be employed to provide a susceptible system for the effect of asbestos fibres and/or PAH on the immunity. F1(NZB*C57Bl/6) mouse hybrid was used. Due to the genetic trait inherited from NZB maternal strain, these mice show the immunological type of responsiveness (Theofilopoulos and Dixon 1981) which resmebles the human situation (HLA B8 antigen associated humoral hypereactivity) known to be a risk factor of asbestos-related immunopathology (Matej et al. 1978).