The systemic inflammation of alveolar hypoxia is initiated by alveolar macrophage-borne mediator(s).

ABSTRACT: Alveolar hypoxia produces widespread systemic inflammation in rats. The inflammation appears to be triggered by activation of mast cells by a mediator released from alveolar macrophages, not by the reduced systemic partial pressure of oxygen (PO2). If this is correct, the following should apply: (1) neither mast cells nor tissue macrophages should be directly activated by hypoxia; and (2) mast cells should be activated when in contact with hypoxic alveolar macrophages, but not with hypoxic tissue macrophages. We sought here to determine whether hypoxia activates isolated alveolar macrophages, peritoneal macrophages, and peritoneal mast cells, and to study the response of the microcirculation to supernatants of these cultures. Rat mesenteric microcirculation intravital microscopy was combin

SUBMITTER: Chao J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2778164 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature