The role of neutrophils in the development of cadmium-chloride-induced emphysema in lathyrogen-fed hamsters

This study was designed to evaluate the role of neutrophils (PMNs) in the pathogenesis of emphysema. After administration of CdCl₂ intratracheally to hamsters fed a lathyrogen, β-amino proprionitrile fumarate (BAPN), the classic lesions of emphysema developed. Administration of specific antineutrophil serum markedly reduced the PMN influx into the lungs which followed CdCl₂ exposure and produced a substantial decrease in elastase and collagenase content of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL). The degree of emphysema in PMN-depleted hamsters given BAPN and CdCl₂ was not different from that in hamsters given BAPN and CdCl₂. Furthermore, the degree of acute lung injury following CdCl₂, as determined by hydroxyproline content of BAL and by lung lipid peroxidation, was the same in PMN-depleted and non-depleted groups. Thus, PMNs were not necessary for the induction of emphysema in BAPN-CdCl₂-treated hamsters. The results suggest that PMNs may not obligate mediators of emphysema.