Alveolar macrophages, the principal resident phagocytes of the gas-exchanging regions
of the lungs, are increased in number and activation state in smokers, especially those
who develope chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD).
Lung macrophages can produce inflammtory cytokines that induce mucus and attract other
leukocytes to the lungs, and can also elaborate metalloproteinases that can disrupt
lung architecture. We are particularly interested in macrophage production of IL-23,
a heterodimeric cytokine related to IL-12, because it has properties that could activate
lung lymphocytes to induce positive feed-back loops leading to self-perpetuating lung
inflammation.
These studies use human alveolar macrophages and cell lines, flow cytometry, real-time
PCR, Western blotting & immunohistochemistry, ELISA and Luminex bead technology
to to analyze inflammatory cytokine production during COPD progression.
These studies are funded by R01 082489 and the Lung Tissue Consortium (LTRC) from
NHLBI, and by the Biomedical & Laboratory Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs.