Pulmonary response to kaolin, mica and talc in mice

Following intratracheal inoculation the pulmonary fibrogenic response of kaolin, mica and talc was investigated in mice over a period of 210 days. All the three dusts incited acute inflammatory reaction at early periods but with mica dust the acute reaction persisted longer. Subsequently there was gradual increase in the fibroblastic activity in the focal areas and mica produced, in addition, many Cholesterol cleft-like structures together with marked fibroblastic activity and lymphocytic infiltration. Towards the termination of experiment at 210 days the fibrosis, in general, remained restricted to grade II with kaolin and mica while talc produced thickened interalveolar septa. The transport of dust from lungs to lymph nodes occurred earlier with mica than with kaolin or talc dust accompanied with little fibrotic reaction. The significance of the findings has been discussed.