Asbestos-induced alteration of human peripheral blood monocyte activity.

Incubation of chrysotile and anthophyllite asbestos fibers with normal human peripheral blood monocytes resulted in significant suppression of monocyte metabolic activity as measured by chemiluminescence. Both fiber types were cytotoxic to monocytes and depressed monocyte phagocytosis of latex beads. We conclude that asbestos-induced monocyte cytotoxicity could result in release of lysosomal enzymes and/or degradation products which contribute to fibrosis in asbestosis. The depression of phagocytosis and microbicidal function may contribute to the increased incidence of carcinogenesis observed in asbestosis.