Oxygen free radicals in pulmonary fibrosis. Final report

Studies conducted in the areas of lung cells, asbestos and oxygen free radicals were summarized. The research resulted in considerable experience in lung cell culture development, the processing of an antisera to the antioxidant enzymes superoxide-dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase, and the completion of several studies which indicate that asbestos-induced injury to lung cells in vitro and in vivo may be mediated by oxygen free radicals. Studies related to the development of the antiserum to SOD demonstrated the involvement of active oxygen species as mediators of injury by long asbestos fibers to the cells of the respiratory tract. Other studies demonstrated the unsuccessful phagocytosis of long fibers of asbestos coupled with the generation of oxygen free radicals which might explain the increased pathogenic potential of long fibers in asbestos associated diseases of the respiratory tract. Studies were also reviewed which focused on the possible role of oxygen free radicals on asbestos associated injury in normal lung fibroblasts, a target cell in pulmonary fibrosis. Studies were conducted which resulted in the confirmation of the importance of active oxygen species in asbestos-related lung injury and suggested the possible future use of a novel therapeutic approach to clinical asbestosis.