ABSTRACT
This chapter describes applications of autoradiographic technology to experimental lung research. Most autoradiographic technologies and applications have been developed in other systems, organs, and tissues. Autoradiography is the method of recording a picture or pattern from a radiographic source in which the source of the radioactivity is contained within the tissue or specimen. Autoradiography is the only technique that allows for the localization of radioactivity in situ. The initial step in planning autoradiographic studies is to evaluate the parameters carefully so that the data recorded will be optimal. Radioactively tagged molecules such as drugs, toxins, and specific antibodies can be used effectively as tracers to determine distribution within the lung or throughout the entire body. Tritium is appropriate with large slices of tissue or directly on tissues, organs, or whole animals, when it can be assumed that only the label in tissues at the surface of contact will be detected and recorded.
