ISSN: 2044-9038 (Print) 2044-9046 (Electronic)

Clinical Practice

Pulmonary Macrophages:

 An overview of the pulmonary macrophage is provided, with particular emphasis on the origin of this cell and therefore the adaptive mechanisms whereby the macrophagic system is in a position to reply to increased inhalant a lot of organic and inorganic pollutants. Evidence is presented which favors an hematopoietic origin for the alveolar macrophage with a monocytic transportation compartment within the blood and an interstitial cell compartment within the lung during which cell division and maturation may occur. Through the straightforward mechanism of increased cellular turnover this technique of mononuclear phagocytes rapidly adapts to most inhalant challenges. additionally to its primary tasks phagocyte and destroyer of microorganisms the macrophage plays a pivotal role within the genesis of silicotic fibrosis, and it's possible that similar mechanisms may hold for a spread of cryptogenic fibroses. Paradoxically, destruction of collagen by the twin mechanisms of phagocytosis and therefore the secretion of lytic enzymes can also occur. The relevance of this secretory function of the macrophage to the pathogenesis of destructive diseases of the lung like emphysema remains to be determined.Macrophages are the foremost numerous immune-cells present within the lung environment under homoeostatic conditions and are ideally positioned to dictate the innate defence of the airways. Pulmonary macrophage populations are heterogeneous and demonstrate remarkable plasticity, due to variations in origin, tissue residency and environmental influences.  

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