Lung infections and innate host defense

Human lungs continuously handle various pollutants, microbes, and allergens. The pulmonary innate immune response eliminates most of these foreign particles while maintaining a sterile environment within the lung. This response is tightly regulated in order to minimize inflammation and protect the host. This review focuses on the major pulmonary innate immune components that respond to infectious agents, including alveolar macrophages and their major receptors and surfactant, and its ability to regulate the host response to certain infectious pathogens. Finally, potential therapeutic applications relevant to these innate immune determinants will be discussed.

Section editor:Clay Braden Marsh – Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, USA