Misplaced Pages

An alveolar macrophage, pulmonary macrophage, (or dust cell) is a type of macrophage, a professional phagocyte, found in the airways and at the level of the alveoli in the lungs, but separated from their walls.

Activity of the alveolar macrophage is relatively high, because they are located at one of the major boundaries between the body and the outside world. They are responsible for removing particles such as dust or microorganisms from the respiratory surfaces.

Alveolar macrophages are frequently seen to contain granules of exogenous material such as particulate carbon that they have picked up from respiratory surfaces. Such black granules may be especially common in smoker's lungs or long-term city dwellers.

The alveolar macrophage is the third cell type in the alveolus; the others are the type I and type II pneumocytes.

Comparison of pigmented pulmonary macrophages

Disease	Macrophage name	Macrophage pigment appearance (HE stain)	Usual macrophage location	Associated medical history	Image	Image comment
Anthracosis		Black-brown granules	Interstitium (perivascular)	Age and urban dwelling. Coal workers		Black arrow shows interstitial anthracotic pigment. Nearby macrophages (white arrow) can be presumed to contain anthracotic pigment.
Respiratory bronchiolitis	"Smoker’s macrophages"	Yellow to light brown and finely granular	Airways (especially respiratory bronchioles)	Tobacco smoking		Smoker's macrophage in center
Chronic pulmonary congestion	Siderophages	Brown-golden and refractile.	Alveoli	Heart failure Pulmonary hemorrhage		Siderophage (black arrow), and interstitium with edema, hemosiderin deposition (black arrow) and collagenous thickening, indicating heart failure.

Function

Alveolar macrophages are phagocytes that play a critical role in homeostasis, host defense, and tissue remodeling. Their population density is decisive for these many processes. They are highly adaptive and can release many secretions, to interact with other cells and molecules using several surface receptors. Alveolar macrophages are also involved in the phagocytosis of apoptotic and necrotic cells. They need to be selective of the material that is phagocytized to safeguard the normal cells and structures. To combat infection, the phagocytes facilitate many pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to help recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on the surface of pathogenic microorganisms. PAMPs all have the common features of being unique to a group of pathogens but invariant in their basic structure; and are essential for pathogenicity (ability of an organism to produce an infectious disease in another organism). Proteins involved in microbial pattern recognition include mannose receptor, complement receptors, DC-SIGN, Toll-like receptors(TLRs), the scavenger receptor, CD14, and Mac-1. PRRs can be divided into three classes:

1. signaling PRRs that activate gene transcriptional mechanisms that lead to cellular activation,
2. endocytic PRRs that function in pathogen binding and phagocytosis, and
3. secreted PRRs that usually function as opsonins or activators of complement.

The recognition and clearance of invading microorganisms occurs through both opsonin-dependent and opsonin–independent pathways. The molecular mechanisms facilitating opsonin-dependent phagocytosis are different for specific opsonin/receptor pairs. For example, phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized pathogens occurs through the Fcγ receptors (FcγR), and involves phagocyte extensions around the microbe, resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Conversely, complement receptor-mediated pathogen ingestion occurs without observable membrane extensions (particles just sink into the cell) and does not generally results in an inflammatory mediator response.

Following internalization, the microbe is enclosed in a vesicular phagosome which then undergoes fusion with primary or secondary lysosomes, forming a phagolysosome. There are various mechanisms that lead to intracellular killing; there are oxidative processes, and others independent of the oxidative metabolism. The former involves the activation of membrane enzyme systems that lead to a stimulation of oxygen uptake (known as the respiratory burst), and its reduction to reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), molecular species that are highly toxic for microorganisms. The enzyme responsible for the elicitation of the respiratory burst is known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which is composed of five subunits. One component is a membrane cytochrome made up of two protein subunits, gp91phox and p22phox; the remaining three components are cytosolic-derived proteins: p40phox, p47phox, and p67phox. NADPH oxidase exists in the cytosol of the AM when in a quiescent state; but upon activation, two of its cytosolic components, p47phox and p67phox, have their tyrosine and serine residues phosphorylated, which are then able to mediate translocation of NADPHox to the cytochrome component, gp91phox/p22phox, on the plasma membrane via cytoskeletal elements.

Compared to other phagocytes, the respiratory burst in AM is of a greater magnitude. Oxygen-independent microbicidal mechanisms are based on the production of acid, on the secretion of lysozymes, on iron-binding proteins, and on the synthesis of toxic cationic polypeptides. Macrophages possess a repertoire of antimicrobial molecules packaged within their granules and lysosomes. These organelles contain a myriad of degradative enzymes and antimicrobial peptides that are released into the phagolysosome, such as proteases, nucleases, phosphatases, esterases, lipases, and highly basic peptides. Moreover, macrophages possess a number of nutrient deprivation mechanisms that are used to starve phagocytosed pathogens of essential micronutrients. Certain microorganisms have evolved countermeasures which enable them to evade being destroyed by phagocytes. Although lysosomal-mediated degradation is an efficient means by which to neutralize an infection and prevent colonization, several pathogens parasitize macrophages, exploiting them as a host cell for growth, maintenance and replication. Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii and mycobacteria are able to prevent fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes, thus escaping the harmful action of lysosomal hydrolases. Others avoid lysosomes by leaving the phagocytic vacuole, to reach the cytosolic matrix where their development is unhindered. In these instances, macrophages may be triggered to actively destroy phagocytosed microorganisms by producing a number of highly toxic molecules and inducing deprivational mechanism to starve it. Finally, some microbes have enzymes to detoxify oxygen metabolites formed during the respiratory burst.

When insufficient to ward off the threat, alveolar macrophages can release proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines to call forth a highly developed network of defensive phagocytic cells responsible for the adaptive immune response. During COVID-19 infection, alveolar macrophages play a dual role by acting as the first line of defense against SARS-CoV-2 in the alveolar space, while also contributing to the hyperinflammatory response through excessive cytokine production, which can exacerbate lung damage and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

The lungs are especially sensitive and prone to damage, thus to avoid collateral damage to type I and type II pneumocytes, alveolar macrophages are kept in a quiescent state, producing little inflammatory cytokines and displaying little phagocytic activity, as evidenced by downregulated expression of the phagocytic receptor Macrophage 1 antigen (Mac-1). AMs actively suppress the induction of two of the immunity systems of the body: the adaptive immunity and humoral immunity. The adaptive immunity is suppressed through AM's effects on interstitial dendritic cells, B-cells and T-cells, as these cells are less selective of what they destroy, and often cause unnecessary damage to normal cells. To prevent uncontrolled inflammation in the lower respiratory tract, alveolar macrophages secrete nitric oxide, prostaglandins, interleukin-4 and -10(IL-4, IL-10), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β).

Role of signaling molecules

Nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is a major source of immunomodulation in rodents, and is produced by enzyme nitric oxide synthetase type 2 (NOS2) in the alveolar macrophage. NO inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of the kinases involved in production of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor, the expression of which is fundamental for T cell proliferation. In humans, however, NOS2 activity has been difficult to verify.

There are two explanations for the lack of responsiveness in the promoter of human inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) to NO activation by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) + interferon gamma (IFNγ). The first is that there are various inactivating nucleotide variations in the human counterpart of the enhancer element that regulates LPS/IFNγ induced expression of the mouse NOS2 gene. The second is because of the absence of a nuclear factor in human macrophages that is required for optimum expression of gene NOS2 (LPS-inducible nuclear factor-kappa B/Rel complex). It is assumed that the difficulty in verifying NOS2 is due to a much more tightly controlled expression in human AMs as compared to that in the rodent AMs. NOS2 is part of an autoregulatory feedback loop, wherein an allergen or provoker stimulates inflammatory cytokine production, which in turn stimulates NO production, and NO down-regulates cytokine production. In rats, NO inhibits the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-mediated maturation of dendritic cells, and in humans it inhibits the TNF-alpha-mediated maturation of human dendritic cells, through cyclic GMP-dependent mechanisms. NO prolongs the ability of human dendritic cells to internalize antigens at sites of inflammation, therefore modulating the beginning steps leading to antigen-specific immune responses.

NO production has been implicated as relevant to the pathology of asthma. People with asthma show an increased expression of iNOS in airway epithelial cells and an increased level of nitric oxide in exhaled air.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide 2 (PGE2)

Many other immunomodulating factors have been isolated, the most important of which are prostaglandins and cytokines. PGE2 was the first immunomodulator to be derived from macrophages and described. PGE2 functions in amplifying peripheral blood lymphocyte IL-10 transcription and protein production; as well as in deactivating macrophages and T-cells. PGE2 is an immunomodulatory eicosanoid derived from the cell membrane component, arachidonic acid, and is processed in the arachidonic acid cascade: the successive oxygenation and isomerization of arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase and PGE2 synthase enzymes. The regulation of target cells by PGE2 occurs via signaling through four cell membrane-associated G-protein-coupled E-prostanoid (EP) receptors, named EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4. PGE2 inhibits bacterial killing and ROI production by AM by impairing Fcγ-mediated phagocytosis through its ability to stimulate the production of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) effectors via EP2 and EP4 receptors signaling. EP2 and EP4 receptors signal primarily through stimulatory G protein (Gs), increasing adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and subsequent cAMP formation. cAMP is a second messenger that influences multiple cellular functions via the activation of two downstream effector molecules, protein kinase A (PKA) and the exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac-1 and -2). Epac-1 and PKA are both important factors involved in the inhibition of AM bacterial killing. The effects of PKA results from its ability to phosphorylate serine and threonine residues on many cellular proteins, especially transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). cAMP/PKA/CREB axis mediates the inhibition of TNF-alpha release. The killing of phagocytosed bacteria by AMs is dependent upon several distinct microbicidal mechanisms, like the reduced NADPH oxidase-mediated release of ROI. ROI generation by NADPH oxidase is an important bactericidal mechanism after FcR-mediated phagocytosis. PGE2 activates both Gs-coupled EP2 and EP4 receptors by ligation, stimulating cAMP production and subsequent activation of downstream cAMP effectors, PKA and Epac-1; both which in turn impair the phosphorylation and phagosomal membrane translocation of NADPH oxidase component, p47phox, thereby inhibiting the respiratory burst.

Interleukin-4 and -10

IL-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a key role in the development of T helper type 2(Th2) cells. IL-4 is important for the differentiation of naïve CD4-T cells into mature Th2 type cells; as well as for Immunoglobulin (Ig) class switching to IgE and IgG4 during the development of immune responses. Ig is a class of antibody found only in mammals that plays an important role in allergy response and defense against many kinds of pathogens by protecting the body against them by complement activation, opsonization for phagocytosis, and neutralization of their toxins.

IL-4 and IL-10 have both been shown to reduce the production of metalloproteinases (endopeptidases which break down collagen and other extracellular proteins) by human AMs. IL-4 has dual effects upon macrophage biological function, which may be either stimulatory or inhibitory. It enhances MHC class II antigen (extracellular protein complex that interacts exclusively with CD4-T cells as part of the exogenous pathway) and Mac-1(surface receptor as part of innate complement system) expression, thus promoting phagocytosis. IL-4 has also been shown to inhibit the production of PGE2 by reducing the expression of the enzyme, prostaglandin H synthase -2 (PGHS-2), which is critical in the production of PGE2. However, IL-4 inhibits production of TNF-alpha, IL-1 and -6, which are all important cytokines in the proinflammatory response).

IL-10 inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and INF-gamma, thus suppressing the proliferation of T-cells, NK cells, and AM. IL-10 shares similar immunomodulating mechanisms to TGF-β. It is thought that both cytokines reduce the rate of apoptosis in human alveolar macrophages, thus indirectly enhancing alveolar macrophage-mediated inhibition of T-cell proliferation. There is a significant increase in the basal rate of apoptosis upon activation by bacterial products. Apoptosis is particularly regulated by the presence of cytokines: IFNγ increases the rate of apoptosis, whereas IL-10 and TGF-β decrease it. However, IL-10 has counterproductive effects on the immune system, and has been shown to actually promote infection by foreign pathogens. The role of IL-10 in bacterial and parasitic infection has been discovered as a strategy to evade host immune systems. There are bacteria which parasitize AMs by invading through their membranes, and thrive by growing and replicating inside of them, exploiting AMs as host cells. Normally, this infection can be eliminated by T-cells, which activate enzymes in alveolar macrophages that destroy the bacteria; but these bacteria have been shown to alter the cytokine signaling network to their advantage. As an inhibitory cytokine, IL-10 facilitates the infection of human alveolar macrophages and monocytes by completely reversing the protective effect of IFNγ against intracellular Legionella pneumophila replication. Yersinia enterocolitica has also been shown to releases virulence antigen LcrV, which induces IL-10 through Toll-like receptor-2 and CD14 (an accessory surface protein of TLR4-mediated LPS-signaling), resulting in the suppression of IFNγ and TNF-alpha suppression.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)

In normal conditions, alveolar macrophages adhere closely to alveolar epithelial cells, thus inducing the expression of the αvβ6 integrin. Integrins are dimeric cell-surface receptors composed of alpha and beta subunits, which activates TGF-β.< TGF-β is a multifunctional cytokine that modulates a variety of biological processes such as cell growth, apoptosis, extracellular matrix synthesis, inflammation, and immune responses. TGF-β tightly regulates anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, thereby inhibiting T-lymphocyte function. Integrins avβ6 and avβ8 sequester latent TGF-β to the cell surface, where activation can be tightly coupled to cellular responses to environmental stress in the maintenance of homeostasis; integrins also localize activated TGFβ in the vicinity of the macrophages. Normally mature TGFβ is secreted as a latent complex with its N-terminal fragment, latency-associated peptide (LAP), which inhibits its activity. The latent complex is covalently linked to the extracellular matrix by binding to latent TGF-β-binding proteins. TGF-β is activated by diverse mechanisms in the lung, ultimately involving either proteolysis or conformational alteration of the LAP. αvβ6 integrin is able to mediate activation of TGF-β by binding to TGF-β1 LAP, which serves as a ligand binding site for the integrin, and is an essential component of the TGF-β activation apparatus. Once activated, TGFβ leads to the suppression of macrophage functionality (cytokine production and phagocytosis). Binding of activated TGF-β to its receptors expressed on alveolar macrophages induces a downstream signaling cascade, including phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic (R-SMAD)homologs 2 and 3. Phosphorylated SMAD-2 and -3 then form heteromeric complexes with common-mediator SMAD 4 (co-SMAD-4). Once assembled, the complexes translocates into the nucleus via the nuclear pore with the assistance of importins alpha/beta. Once in the nucleus, these complexes accumulate and eventually act as a transcription factors, regulating the expression of TGF-β target genes. Thus TGF-β signaling involves a direct pathway from the receptors on the surface of a cell to the nucleus.

Activation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are signaling PRRs, capable of recognizing various bacterial proteins. Although bacteria have evolved means of evading host defense mechanisms, they express PAMPs, such as lipoglycans and lipoproteins that are recognized by cells of the innate immune system through the TLRs. Upon binding of PAMPs to TLRs, the TLR triggers inflammatory and defensive responses in the host cell, inducing actin polymerization in alveolar macrophages (a crucial component in endocytosis and motility). Actin polymerization in alveolar macrophages causes the suppression of integrin expression, which in turn causes the deactivation of TGF-β and the downregulation of the basal phosphorylation level of SMAD 2/3; subsequently leading to the activation and detachment of alveolar macrophages from the alveolar epithelial cells . Upon activation, macrophages become primed for phagocytosis and begin to secrete proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6).

The priming of macrophages involves the enhancement of respiratory burst activity by IFN-γ and TNF-α. IFNγ induces both an increased affinity of the NADPH oxidase for NADPH in macrophages, as well as an increased rate of gene transcription and message expression for gp91phox protein. TNF-α acts as an autocrine stimulus by increasing the expression of both p47phox and p67phox transcripts. The ROIs produced during the respiration burst response, in turn, enhance production of TNF-α by macrophages.

Deactivation

Gas exchange must be restored as quickly as possible to avoid collateral damage, so activated lymphocytes secrete IFNγ to stimulate the production of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9 by macrophages. AMs have been reported to produce MMP-9 partly via PGE2-dependent PKA signaling pathways, which are the pathways involved in the inhibition of phagocytosis. MMP-9 activates latent TGF-β, reinducing expression of αvβ6 integrins on alveolar epithelial cells, thereby returning the alveolar macrophage to a resting state. Activation of TGF-β is also advantageous because its production stimulates collagen synthesis in interstitial fibroblasts, which is necessary for restoring alveolar wall architecture.

See also

• List of human cell types derived from the germ layers

References

1. Weinberger SE, Cockrill BA, Mandel J (2019). Principles of pulmonary medicine (Seventh ed.). Philadelphia, PA. pp. 288–289. ISBN 978-0-323-52373-8. OCLC 1020498796.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
2. Cotran RS, Kumar V, Collins T, Robbins SL (1999). Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. Philadelphia: W.B Saunders Company. ISBN 978-0-7216-7335-6.
3. Morgan WK (November 1978). "Industrial bronchitis". Br J Ind Med. 35 (4): 285–91. doi:10.1136/oem.35.4.285. PMC 1008445. PMID 367424.
4. Perry W, Konopka K. "Lung - Other interstitial pneumonitis / fibrosis - Respiratory bronchiolitis". Topic Completed: 1 July 2020. Minor changes: 1 July 2020.
5. Zander, Dani (2018). Pulmonary pathology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-39308-9. OCLC 968711140. - VII Acute Lung Injury with Siderophages
6. Majno G, Joris I (12 August 2004). Cells, Tissues, and Disease : Principles of General Pathology. Oxford University Press. p. 620. ISBN 978-0-19-974892-1. OCLC 76950968. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
7. ^ Lambrecht, BN (April 2006). ""Alveolar macrophage in the driver's seat"". Immunity. 24 (4): 366–8. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2006.03.008. PMID 16618595.
8. ^ Guyton AC (2007). "Chapter 33: Physiology of the respiratory system". Textbook of Medical Physiology. pp. 431–433.
9. ^ Stafford JL, Neumann NF, Belosevic M (2002). "Macrophage-mediated innate host defense against protozoan parasites". Critical Reviews in Microbiology. 28 (3): 187–248. doi:10.1080/1040-840291046731. PMID 12385499. S2CID 38166749.
10. ^ Krutzik SR, Modlin RL (February 2004). "The role of Toll-like receptors in combating mycobacteria". Seminars in Immunology. 16 (1): 35–41. doi:10.1016/j.smim.2003.10.005. PMID 14751762.
11. ^ Serezani CH, Chung J, Ballinger MN, Moore BB, Aronoff DM, Peters-Golden M (November 2007). "Prostaglandin E2 suppresses bacterial killing in alveolar macrophages by inhibiting NADPH oxidase". American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 37 (5): 562–70. doi:10.1165/rcmb.2007-0153OC. PMC 2048683. PMID 17585108.
12. ^ Holt PG, Oliver J, Bilyk N, McMenamin C, McMenamin PG, Kraal G, Thepen T (February 1993). "Downregulation of the antigen presenting cell function(s) of pulmonary dendritic cells in vivo by resident alveolar macrophages". The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 177 (2): 397–407. doi:10.1084/jem.177.2.397. PMC 2190916. PMID 8426110.
13. ^ Bunn HJ, Hewitt CR, Grigg J (May 2002). "Suppression of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation by alveolar macrophages from young infants". Clinical and Experimental Immunology. 128 (2): 313–7. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2249.2002.01848.x. PMC 1906398. PMID 12041510.
14. ^ Bingisser RM, Holt PG (April 2001). "Immunomodulating mechanisms in the lower respiratory tract: nitric oxide mediated interactions between alveolar macrophages, epithelial cells, and T-cells". Swiss Medical Weekly. 131 (13–14): 171–9. doi:10.4414/smw.2001.09653. PMID 11345807. S2CID 37202272.
15. ^ Lacraz S, Nicod L, Galve-de Rochemonteix B, Baumberger C, Dayer JM, Welgus HG (August 1992). "Suppression of metalloproteinase biosynthesis in human alveolar macrophages by interleukin-4". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 90 (2): 382–8. doi:10.1172/JCI115872. PMC 443112. PMID 1322938.
16. ^ Brock TG, Serezani CH, Carstens JK, Peters-Golden M, Aronoff DM (January 2008). "Effects of prostaglandin E2 on the subcellular localization of Epac-1 and Rap1 proteins during Fcgamma-receptor-mediated phagocytosis in alveolar macrophages". Experimental Cell Research. 314 (2): 255–63. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.10.011. PMC 2390918. PMID 18021770.
17. Pouliot P, Turmel V, Gélinas E, Laviolette M, Bissonnette EY (June 2005). "Interleukin-4 production by human alveolar macrophages". Clinical and Experimental Allergy. 35 (6): 804–10. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02246.x. PMID 15969673. S2CID 22847451.
18. ^ Paul WE (May 1991). "Interleukin-4: a prototypic immunoregulatory lymphokine". Blood. 77 (9): 1859–70. doi:10.1182/blood.V77.9.1859.1859. PMID 2018830.
19. ^ Yoshizawa S, Tateda K, Matsumoto T, Gondaira F, Miyazaki S, Standiford TJ, Yamaguchi K (May 2005). "Legionella pneumophila evades gamma interferon-mediated growth suppression through interleukin-10 induction in bone marrow-derived macrophages". Infection and Immunity. 73 (5): 2709–17. doi:10.1128/IAI.73.5.2709-2717.2005. PMC 1087334. PMID 15845473.
20. ^ Araya J, Cambier S, Morris A, Finkbeiner W, Nishimura SL (August 2006). "Integrin-mediated transforming growth factor-beta activation regulates homeostasis of the pulmonary epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit". The American Journal of Pathology. 169 (2): 405–15. doi:10.2353/ajpath.2006.060049. PMC 1698780. PMID 16877343.
21. Morris DG, Huang X, Kaminski N, Wang Y, Shapiro SD, Dolganov G, Glick A, Sheppard D (March 2003). "Loss of integrin alpha(v)beta6-mediated TGF-beta activation causes Mmp12-dependent emphysema". Nature. 422 (6928): 169–73. Bibcode:2003Natur.422..169M. doi:10.1038/nature01413. PMID 12634787. S2CID 4407206.
22. ^ Takabayshi K, Corr M, Hayashi T, Redecke V, Beck L, Guiney D, Sheppard D, Raz E (April 2006). "Induction of a homeostatic circuit in lung tissue by microbial compounds". Immunity. 24 (4): 475–87. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2006.02.008. PMID 16618605. (Retracted, see doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2008.04.011, PMID 18504811. If this is an intentional citation to a retracted paper, please replace {{retracted|...}} with {{retracted|...|intentional=yes}}.)
23. ^ Ray CA, Lasbury ME, Durant PJ, Wang SH, Zhang C, Liao CP, Tschang D, Lee CH (2006). "Transforming growth factor-beta activation and signaling in the alveolar environment during Pneumocystis pneumonia". The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 53 (Suppl 1): S127–9. doi:10.1111/j.1550-7408.2006.00200.x. PMID 17169028. S2CID 37439751.
24. ^ Annes JP, Munger JS, Rifkin DB (January 2003). "Making sense of latent TGFbeta activation". Journal of Cell Science. 116 (Pt 2): 217–24. doi:10.1242/jcs.00229. PMID 12482908.
25. Munger JS, Huang X, Kawakatsu H, Griffiths MJ, Dalton SL, Wu J, Pittet JF, Kaminski N, Garat C, Matthay MA, Rifkin DB, Sheppard D (February 1999). "The integrin alpha v beta 6 binds and activates latent TGF beta 1: a mechanism for regulating pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis". Cell. 96 (3): 319–28. doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)80545-0. PMID 10025398.
26. ^ Ohbayashi H, Shimokata K (April 2005). "Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and airway remodeling in asthma". Current Drug Targets. Inflammation and Allergy. 4 (2): 177–81. doi:10.2174/1568010053586246. PMID 15853739.

External links

• Histology image: 13906loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University - "Respiratory System: lung (human), alveolar macrophages"
• Histology at KUMC resp-resp16 "Alveoli"
• Slide at ufl.edu

• Macrophages
• Phagocytes
• Respiratory system anatomy
• Respiratory physiology