Chrysotile asbestos: biological reaction potential.

Evidence is presented indicating that chrysotile asbestos induces rapid cellular ageing in lung fibroblast cultures. Depending on the dose of asbestos given to these cultures the formation of fibrous collagen is enhanced or suppressed. The reaction of chrysotile at the cellular and molecular level is discussed and is considered to be determined by the organic coating it receives or the manner in which the surface absorbed material is modified. Studies are included of the ability of chrysotile to adsorb and retain serum proteins, pulmonary surfactant and lysosomal enzymes. Finally, a critical appraisal is given of the theories accounting for chrysotile-induced fibrogenesis particularly related to the lung fibroblast system studied.