All articles tagged with #phagocytosis
Research shows that embryos, including humans, can defend themselves against bacteria through a process similar to white blood cell activity, using epithelial cells to ingest and destroy bacteria before their immune system fully develops, which could have implications for fertility and preventing developmental malformations.
A study published in Nature Nanotechnology by a French-Chinese research team has found that the size and shape of inhaled nanofibers, such as those from asbestos or fiberglass, are key factors in causing pulmonary fibrosis, rather than their chemical composition. The inability of lung macrophages to engulf and digest nanofibers longer than 15 microns leads to harmful secretions that damage alveolar walls. This discovery, supported by in vitro experiments and rat studies, suggests that even inert nanofiber materials previously considered safe may pose significant health risks similar to asbestos when inhaled.