Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM： To study apoptosis of cells in lung of BALB/C mice induced by phosgene. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 12 mice were divided into a negative group and a positive group with 6 mice in each. Mice were exposed in air and phosgene for 5 minutes respectively in negative group and in positive one. Dose of phosgene is 11.9 mg/L. After 4 hours, all mice were anesthetized to isolate and culture alveolar type Ⅱcells,and to observe apoptosis of alveolar type Ⅱcells, alveolar type Ⅰcells, eosinophil, macrophage, lymphocyte and ciliated cells under electron microscope. RESULTS: Alveolus type Ⅱ cells were identified by tannic acid stainning and electron microscope. After exposed to 11.9 mg/L phosgene for 5 minute, the apoptotic body in alveolus type Ⅱcell and selenodont in alveolar type I cells and apoptotic signs in eosinophil,macrophage,lymphocyte and ciliated cells were found under electron microscope in positive group. CONCLUSION: It is successful to establish method of isolation and culture of alveolar type Ⅱcells,phosgene can induce apoptosis of cells in lung of mice.

Key words: phosgene, pulmonary edema, lung cell, apoptosis