[Survival in gazeous phase and reconstitution "in vitro" of the natural microenvironment of alveolar macrophages].

Alveolar macrophages of guinea pigs laid on a porous membrane applied to the surface of a reservior filled with nutrient fluid, may be maintained in survival in gaseous phase. The addition of biological material obtained by centrifugation of the broncho-alveolar nutrient fluid, creates in vitro a micro-environment comparable to the physiological alveolar or bronchial environment. Examination of these macrophages under the light and electron microscopes, and study of their phagocytic and bactericidal activity, demonstrate the value of this experimental model, which opens new possibilities for research on the means of phagocytic defence of the respiratory apparatus and their disturbances by gases which pollute the atmosphere.