title: Alveolar macrophages and type I IFN in airway homeostasis and immunity.
abstract: Globally, respiratory infections cause more than 4 million deaths per year, with influenza and tuberculosis (TB) in particular being major causes of mortality and morbidity. Although immune cell activation is critical for killing respiratory pathogens, this response must be tightly regulated to effectively control and eliminate invading microorganisms while minimizing immunopathology and maintaining pulmonary function. The distinct microenvironment of the lung is constantly patrolled by alveolar macrophages (Mφ), which are essential for tissue homeostasis, early pathogen recognition, initiation of the local immune response, and resolution of inflammation. Here, we focus on recent advances that have provided insight into the relation between pulmonary Mφ, type I interferon (IFN) signaling, and the delicate balance between protective and pathological immune responses in the lung.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, McGill International TB Centre, McGill University Health Centre, Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Microbiome and Disease Tolerance Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address: maziar.divangahi@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Maziar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Divangahi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Microbiome and Disease Tolerance Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Irah L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, McGill International TB Centre, McGill University Health Centre, Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Erwan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pernet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I
keywords: alveolar macrophages; host defense; pulmonary infection; tissue homeostasis; type I interferon