Selective Depletion of Alveolar Macrophages in Polymicrobial Sepsis Increases Lung Injury, Bacterial Load and Mortality but Does Not Affect Cytokine Release

Abstract

Contrarily to other macrophage populations, AM do not significantly contribute to local and systemic cytokine release during polymicrobial abdominal sepsis. AM have important protective functions for local clearance of gut-derived bacteria and attenuation of lung injury.