Altered M1/M2 polarization of alveolar macrophages is involved in the pathological responses of acute silicosis in rats in vivo

Alveolar macrophages play a vital role in the development of acute silicosis, but the dynamic changes of M1 and/or M2 phenotypes have not been elucidated. In this study, acute silicosis models of rat were established by a one-time dusting method, and the rats were sacrificed after 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. The polarity states of macrophages were assessed by measuring the M1/M2 marker genes of alveolar macrophages and the M1/M2 marker proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The pathological changes of lung tissues were examined with hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Our results showed that in the early stages, alveolar macrophages were mainly polarized into M1; with time, the polarization of M2 gradually became dominant. Microscopic sections showed significant pathological responses of inflammation and fibrosis. This work suggested that the alteration of alveolar macrophage polarization was involved in the lung pathologic responses to acute silicosis.