Interní Med. 2008; 10(4): 184-187

Respiratory immunity

doc. MUDr. Ilja Stříž CSc^1,2

¹ Pracoviště klinické a transplantační imunologie

² Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny (IKEM), Praha

Immune system of the lung protects an area of about 100 m2 and comes into contact with 10 000 L of inhaled air containing numerous particles and infection agens daily. In this respect, the co-ordination between the mechanisms of innate immunity and adaptive immune responses is particularly important. Epithelial cells represent the first defense barrier by their mucocilliary transport but produce also multiple chemokines regulating the influx of other immune cells and release cytokines inducing their morphological a functional properties. Alveolar macrophages originating from blood monocytes are probably the most potent weapons of innate immunity in the lung. In addition to their phagocytic and bactericidal functions, the interactions with both the epithelium and lymphocytes (mechanisms of adaptive immunity) are essencial. Lung lymphocytes are mostly T cells consisting from memory and effector populations CD4 (Th1/Th2/Th17 cells) and CD8 (cytotoxic T cells). The balance between the immunity and tolerance is under the control of naturally occuring or peripheral T regulatory cells which inhibit the proliferation of T effector cells by cell-cell contact or by release of cytokines TGF beta, IL-10, or IL-35. Granulocytes are under physiological conditions located predominantly in pulmonary microvasculature. Respiratory immune system is very efficient in protecting lung homeostasis but might be also involved in immunopathological reactions when dysregulated.

Keywords: respiratory imunity, innate and adaptive immune response, immunoregulation

Published: May 1, 2008  Show citation