Macrophage defences against respiratory tract infections.
Pulmonary macrophages with a key role in defence against respiratory infection are a heterogeneous family of cells with phagocytic, antigen processing and immunomodulatory functions. Macrophages are important in both innate and acquired immunity in the respiratory tract, and have a role in lung defence against viruses, bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi. Interactions of pathogens with lung macrophages is strongly influenced by soluble immune components including complement, collectins and immunoglobulins. Macrophage function can be modulated by cytokines, environmental exposures, recent and chronic infection including HIV infection, drug therapy and gene transfer.
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Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, University of Malawi, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.
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D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000276:immunology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants