Linked Life Data

11493607

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/11493607

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-8-8
pubmed:abstractText
Although initially considered merely "scavenger cells" that participate in immunologic responses only after B and T lymphocytes have performed their biological tasks, more recent evidence suggests that macrophages play a key role in host defense as well as in the maintenance of normal tissue structure and function. For macrophages to perform their biological functions, they must be activated. This involves up-regulation of an array of signaling pathways resulting in altered gene expression and increased biochemical and functional activity. Macrophages have been identified in almost all tissues of the body. However, the basal activity of these cells, as well as their ability to respond to inflammatory mediators, varies considerably with their location. In addition, even within a particular tissue, there is evidence of macrophage heterogeneity. The largest populations of macrophages in the body are located in the liver and lung. Because of the unique attributes of these tissues, hepatic and pulmonary macrophages play essential roles not only in nonspecific host defense but also in the homeostatic responses of these tissues. In this review, the functional and biochemical activities of macrophages localized in the liver and lungs are compared. Evidence suggests that these represent distinct cell populations with unique functions and responsiveness to inflammatory agents.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0741-5400
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
70
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
163-70
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Functional heterogeneity in liver and lung macrophages.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA. laskin@eohsi.rutgers.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't