PULMONARY-ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGE .1.

(First of Two Parts) THE pulmonary-alveolar macrophage (PAM) is the resident mononuclear phagocyte of the lung and functions as the primary defense against inhaled particulate matter.1,2 The study of these cells in animals became practical in 1961 when Myrvik and his coworkers described a procedure to obtain rabbit PAMs by lung washings.3 Subsequently, the development of the bronchopulmonary-lavage technic in man4 has permitted the retrieval of human PAMs. The recent widespread application of fiberoptic bronchoscopy has allowed the routine recovery of alveolar macrophages in many diseases. These technical advances have aided in the intensive study of both human and animal. © 1979, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.