Influence of cadmium on the phagocytic and microbicidal activity of murine peritoneal macrophages, pulmonary alveolar macrophages, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

A significant depression in the phagocytic capacity of elicited peritoneal macrophages, pulmonary alveolar macrophages, and elicited peritoneal polymorphonucleated neutrophils was manifested when the cells were incubated in medium containing cadmium chloride. With the exception of the neutrophils, a similar influence was observed when the cells were exposed to cadmium acetate. The impaired phagocytic capacity was related to the concentration of the cadmium in the medium. Peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils did not demonstrate any alteration in their microbicidal activity (percentage of ingested yeast which were killed) in the presence of the cadmium salts. However, a significant suppression in the intracellular microbicidal activity of alveolar macrophages was observed when the cells were incubated in medium containing either cadmium chloride or cadmium acetate. This unique response to Cd2+ may be related to general metabolic characteristics of these cells living at an elevated O2 tension.