Effect of particles on sheep lung hemodynamics parallels depletion and recovery of intravascular macrophages.

We previously showed in newborn lambs that the pulmonary hemodynamic responses to foreign particulate matter (liposomes; Monastral blue) developed in parallel with the maturation of the pulmonary intravascular macrophage system. We now report our use of the liposome-encapsulated heavy-metal-chelating agent dichloromethylene diphosphonate to deplete the intravascular macrophages of small lambs. Functionally and by quantitative histology, we depleted the vast majority of the intravascular macrophages (71% by Monastral blue particle retention, n = 22; 77% by histology; n = 2). Depletion success increased to > 90% as we optimized the liposome-depletion regime. Recovery of the lung hemodynamic response began within 3 days. By 2 wk, the functional responses had fully recovered (n = 8), and, according to quantitative histology, the macrophage population (n = 2) had recovered 65%. Macrophage depletion in lambs is relatively inexpensive and easy to achieve. It is a safe procedure and is followed by full recovery in approximately 2 wk, provided that an aseptic technique is used to prevent bacteremia.