title: The role of macrophages and immunocytes in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases due to mineral dusts.
abstract: There is considerable evidence of generalized stimulation of the immune system in pulmonary dust diseases. This stimulation involves both the T- and the B-arms of the immune system. A reasonable explanation of this immune stimulation resides in an effect of the mineral dusts on the macrophages. This effect is likely to be mediated by the production of interleukin-1. Since the same substance also stimulates fibroblasts, a unified view of the pathogenesis of pulmonary dust diseases is now possible.
mesh_terms: D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008903:Minerals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008903:Minerals; D012822:Silicon Dioxide