Skip to main content

In vivo incorporation of3H-choline in alveolar type-II pneumocytes in mice treated with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

An electron microscopic radioautographic study

Virchows Archiv B volume 38, Article number: 273 (1981) Cite this article

Summary

Butylated hydroxytoluene has been previously shown to damage alveolar type-I cells followed by proliferation of type-II pneumocytes which then redifferentiate into intermediate and newly formed type-I epithelial cells. In relation to this transformation process, in vivo incorporation of H3-choline, a precursor of the main component of lung surfactant, was studied in type-II cells of BHT-treated mice by electron microscopic radioautography. The labeling density was reduced in some type-II cells at 2, 3 and 5 days after a single injection of BHT. Cellular compartment analysis indicated that the transformation of type-II cells is accompanied by a notable loss of their lamellar body component as well as a decreased radioautographic labeling associated with this cell type, possible in relation with modified synthesis of phospholipid material of surfactant.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

References

  • Adamson IYR, Bowden DH (1974) The type 2 cells as progenitor of alveolar epithelial regeneration. A cytodynamic study in mice after exposure to oxygen. Lab Invest 30:35–42

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adamson IYR, Bowden DH, Côté MG, Witschi HP (1977) Lung injury induced by butylated hydroxytoluene. Cytodynamic and biochemical studies in mice. Lab Invest 36:26–32

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baranska J, Van Golde LMG (1977) Role of lamellar bodies of phosphatidylcholine in mouse lung. Biochem Biophys Acta 488:285–293

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buckingham S, Heinmann HO, Sommers SC and McNary WF (1966) Phospholipid synthesis in the large pulmonary alveolar cell: Its relation to lung surfactants. Am J Pathol 48:1027–1041

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chevalier G, Collet AJ (1972) In vivo incorporation of choline-3H, leucine-3H and galactose-3H in alveolar type-II pneumocytes in relation to surfactant synthesis. A quantitative radioautographic study in mouse by electron microscopy. Anat Rec 174:289–310

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evans MH, Cabrai LJ, Stephens RJ, Freeman G (1975) Transformation of alveolar type 2 cells to type-1 cells following exposure to NO2. Exp Mol Pathol 22:142–175

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirai K.I, Witschi HP, Côté MG (1977) Electron microscopy of butylated hydroxytoluene-induced lung damage in mice. Exp Mol Pathol 27:295–308

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kikkawa Y, Yoneda K, Smith F, Packard B, Suzuki K (1975) The type-II epithelial cells of the lung. II. Chemical composition of phospholipid synthesis. Lab Invest 32:295–302

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marino AA, Mitchell JT (1972) Lung damage in mice following intraperitoneal injection of butylated hydroxytolune. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 140:122–125

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson WL (1978) Application of statistical methods in quantitative microscopy. J Microscopy 113:223–239

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams MA (1969) The assessment of electron microscopic autoradiographs. In: Barer R and Cosslett VE (eds). Advances in optical and electron microscopy. Academic Press, New York, pp 219–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Witschi HP, Côté MG (1976) Biochemical pathology of lung damage produced by chemicals. Fed Proc 35:89–94

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Witschi HP, Côté MG (1977) Primary pulmonary responses to toxic agents. CRC Crit Rev Toxicol 5:23–66

    PubMed  CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whur P, Herscovics A, Leblond CP (1969) Radioautographic visualization of the incorporation of galactose-3H and mannose-3H in vitro in relation to the stages of thyroglobulin synthesis. J Cell Biol 43:289–311

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    G. Chevalier

  2. Biology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box Y, 37830, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    H. P. Witschi

  3. Département de pharmacologie, Faculté de médecine Université de Montréal, Succursale “A”, C.P. 6128, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    M. G. Côté

Authors
  1. G. Chevalier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. P. Witschi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. G. Côté
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by MRC of Canada Grant no. 6151 and NSERC of Canada Grant no. G. 0157

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chevalier, G., Witschi, H.P. & Côté, M.G. In vivo incorporation of3H-choline in alveolar type-II pneumocytes in mice treated with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Virchows Archiv B Cell Pathol 38, 273 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02892822

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02892822

Key words

  • BHT
  • Lung
  • Choline
  • Radioautography
  • Ultrastructure