[Alveolar macrophages in lung physiology and pathology]

Alveolar macrophages (AM) represent a lung border system bringing about the protection of the organ from the environmental hazards, regulating cell and humoral response in the lungs, and eliminating endogenous toxic substances. However, in some situations AM are involved in the pathologic processes and even may serve as an initiating factor in the development of lung pathology. They realize their pathogenic effect in the bronchial asthma, acute respiratory distress-syndrome, pneumoconiosis releasing various biologically active compounds which take part in the formation of bronchial hyperreactivity, chemotaxis disturbances, haemostasis pathology. Particularly interesting is the possibility of lung tissue damage by AM when they interact with endotoxin-positive granulocytes.