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Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages
Published on: April 20, 2018
Interaction between alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells during Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
Yazhi Xue1, Mengyao Wang2, Hongbing Han1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as one of the most common pathogens, usually causes upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia in humans and animals. It accounts for 10% to 40% of community-acquired pneumonia in children. The alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are the first barrier against pathogen infections, triggering innate immune responses by recruiting and activating immune cells when pathogens invade into the lung. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the most plentiful innate immune cells in the lung, and are the first to initiate immune responses with pathogens invasion. The cross-talk between the alveolar epithelium and macrophages is necessary to maintain physiological homeostasis and to eradicate invaded pathogen by regulating immune responses during Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. This review summarizes the communications between alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells during Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, including cytokines-medicated communications, signal transduction by extracellular vesicles, surfactant associated proteins-medicated signal transmission and establishment of intercellular gap junction channels.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections involve communication between alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. Understanding this cross-talk is key to regulating immune responses and clearing the pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory infections, particularly in children.
- Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) form the lung's initial defense against pathogens.
- Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are crucial innate immune cells that initiate responses to lung invaders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the communication mechanisms between AECs and AMs during Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.
- To highlight the importance of this cellular cross-talk in host defense and pathogen clearance.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing research on cell-to-cell communication pathways.
- Focuses on cytokine-mediated signaling, extracellular vesicles, surfactant proteins, and gap junctions.
Main Results:
- AECs and AMs communicate through multiple pathways to coordinate immune responses.
- Cytokines, extracellular vesicles, surfactant proteins, and gap junctions are key mediators.
Conclusions:
- Effective communication between AECs and AMs is essential for maintaining lung homeostasis and fighting Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- Targeting these communication pathways could offer therapeutic strategies for respiratory infections.
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