Receptor-mediated ingestion responses by lung macrophages from a canine model of ARDS.

Receptor-mediated ingestion was examined in macrophages derived from a canine model of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The results showed that Fc-mediated ingestion by alveolar macrophages (AM) and macrophages from lung parenchyma (PM) was significantly diminished when compared with their respective controls. Pulsing all the experimental groups with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 1 hr in vitro failed to either enhance the response or return the activity to levels achieved by control cells. In parallel studies, an analysis of C3b-mediated ingestion showed that both the experimental AM and PM performed this function only at a magnitude equal to the control cells. Similar responses were observed when an LPS pulse was performed. Although there was a reduction in Fc-mediated ingestion and an apparent restraint of the C3b-mediated ingestion, both AM and PM expressed a significantly enhanced ability to spread. These results suggested that the canine model of ARDS alters at least one select macrophage function that may be important to subsequently protect the host. Such disturbances in the cellular immune response may contribute to the progression of infection and lung pathology associated with this disease process.