[Characteristics of the morphofunctional status of lung macrophages in the phagocytosis of particles of varying cytotoxic action].

The cytotoxic effect of quartz and coal on phagocytizing lung macrophages was studied by transmissive and scanning electron microscopy and histochemically (the detection of acid phosphatase). The level of phagocytic activity, the activity and localization of acid phosphatase, the number and state of organelles, and the type of macrophage surface processes were shown to represent the objective criteria of the morphofunctional state of macrophages and the cytotoxic effect of the particles phagocytized.