AIR-FLOW OBSTRUCTION AND MONOCYTE TNF RELEASE IN COAL-WORKERS

Respiratory health of 102 retired coal miners was assessed by chest ra diographs, lung function measurements, and questionnaires, and related to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by blood monocy tes upon priming with different stimuli. The objective was to assess a possible relationship between airflow obstruction and TNF-alpha produ ction in retired coal workers. No significant differences in lung func tion were observed between cases of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) (n = 27; >%) and references (n = 75; = >%), nor was the effect of cum ulative exposure on flow volume or impedance parameters significant. T NF-alpha release upon stimulation of blood monocytes with coal mine du st was significantly increased in cases with International Labour Orga nisation (ILO) score Oil (doubtful cases) compared to references and c ases with a higher ILO score. Airflow limitation defined either as a F EV(1) < 80% (N = 10; 5 cases of CWP) or as a resonance frequency >15 H z accompanied by a negative frequency dependence of resistance (N = 9; 4 cases of CWP) was significantly related to high levels of TNF-alpha release upon stimulation with endotoxin and silica, with silica showi ng the strongest relation. These data suggest that in this group airfl ow limitation is associated with an increased expression of inflammato ry mediators indifferent of the presence of pneumoconiosis.