Alveolar Macrophages

Alveolar macrophages are specialized white blood cells found in the air sacs of the lungs known as alveoli. These cells play an important role in the body’s immune system by ingesting debris, foreign substances, and disease-causing microbes that are breathed in through the air. Alveolar macrophages also release certain substances, like enzymes and cytokines, that help the body to recognize and fight against infection. In addition, they play a part in regulating the body’s inflammatory responses. Alveolar macrophages are important to overall health and are of particular significance in lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.