An overview of pulmonary host defense.
In response to a constant barrage of inhaled and aspirated material, the lung has evolved a sophisticated multi-tiered system of defense. Components of this system include mechanical and biochemical barriers, phagocytic scavengers, and specific cellular and humoral immune responses. A breakdown of individual components of this system is frequently associated with the inability to maintain a sterile milieu and the consequent development of respiratory tract infection.
DeLong
P A
PA
Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Kotloff
R M
RM
D000917:Antibody Formation; D003371:Cough; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology