title: The development and function of lung-resident macrophages and dendritic cells.
abstract: Gas exchange is the vital function of the lungs. It occurs in the alveoli, where oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar epithelium and the capillary endothelium surrounding the alveoli, separated only by a fused basement membrane 0.2-0.5 μm in thickness. This tenuous barrier is exposed to dangerous or innocuous particles, toxins, allergens and infectious agents inhaled with the air or carried in the blood. The lung immune system has evolved to ward off pathogens and restrain inflammation-mediated damage to maintain gas exchange. Lung-resident macrophages and dendritic cells are located in close proximity to the epithelial surface of the respiratory system and the capillaries to sample and examine the air-borne and blood-borne material. In communication with alveolar epithelial cells, they set the threshold and the quality of the immune response.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kopf
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Samuel P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Nobs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines