Alveolar macrophage in the driver's seat.
Although alveolar macrophages are normally quiescent to prevent damaging the alveoli, in this issue of Immunity, Takabayshi et al. (2006) demonstrate that alveolar macrophages can self-regulate their function on demand to mount an appropriate immune response.
Lambrecht
Bart N
BN
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology