[Physiologic regeneration of alveolar macrophages]

Alveolar macrophages (AM) play one of the leading roles in the modification of structure, function and behaviour of the respiratory organs cells. The size of AM population may determine the expression of the inflammatory and regenerative processes in the lung. Restoration of AM population may be brought about by two routes from monocytes coming to the alveoli from the circulation with subsequent differentiation into AM and as a result of local monocytes and macrophages proliferation. AM is a long-living cell population capable for limited self-maintenance and renewal.