US EPA

155790 

Journal Article 

Review 

Ferruginous bodies: Implications in the mechanism of fiber and particle toxicity 

Ghio, AJ; Churg, A; Roggli, VL 

2004 

1 

Toxicologic Pathology
ISSN: 0192-6233
EISSN: 1533-1601 

32 

6 

643-649 

English 

15513907 

10.1080/01926230490885733 

WOS:000226293500003 

Exposures to fibers and particles can be associated with several different lung injuries including bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonitis, pleuritis, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, pneumoconiosis, mesotheliomas, and lung cancers. The mechanism of biological effect exerted by fibers and particles has not been exactly defined. Exposures to all fibers and particles introduce a solid-liquid interface into the lower respiratory tract. These surfaces all have some concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups that demonstrate a capacity to coordinate iron. Radical generation is catalyzed by this metal resulting in a cascade of cell signaling, transcription factor activation, and mediator release. We propose that the ferruginous body (i.e., a fiber or particle with a coating of both protein and iron) provides direct evidence of a participation of iron in the biological effect of both fibers and particles. It is recommended that an identification of ferruginous bodies in the lung be regarded as support for a metal-catalyzed oxidative stress in the mechanism of cell and tissue injury.