From U Manchester: Alveolar macrophages: plasticity in a tissue-specific context

Nat Rev Immunol. 2014 Jan 21. doi: 10.1038/nri3600. [Epub ahead of print]

Alveolar macrophages: plasticity in a tissue-specific context.

Hussell T, Bell TJ.

Author information

• Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Manchester, 2nd floor, Core Technology Facility, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.

Abstract

Alveolar macrophages exist in a unique microenvironment and, despite historical evidence showing that they are in close contact with the respiratory epithelium, have until recently been investigated in isolation. The microenvironment of the airway lumen has a considerable influence on many aspects of alveolar macrophage phenotype, function and turnover. As the lungs adapt to environmental challenges, so too do alveolar macrophages adapt to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the tissue. In this Review, we discuss the unique characteristics of alveolar macrophages, the mechanisms that drive their adaptation and the direct and indirect influences of epithelial cells on them. We also highlight how airway luminal macrophages function as sentinels of a healthy state and how they do not respond in a pro-inflammatory manner to antigens that do not disrupt lung structure. The unique tissue location and function of alveolar macrophages distinguish them from other macrophage populations and suggest that it is important to classify macrophages according to the site that they occupy.