Pleural mesothelial cells (PMC) from the parietal pleura of rats were incubated in culture with UICC A chrysotile fibers. The sequence of events in phagocytosis was studied by electron microscopy: phases of attachment sequestration, and degranulation of lysosomal content into the phagocytic vacuole were observed. This demonstrates that PMC can engage in phagocytosis of chrysotile fibers.
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