[Mitotic activity of alveolar macrophages in nonspecific diffuse lung pathology].

Endopulmonary cytograms and mitotic activity of alveolar macrophages (AM) in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from 30 patients with diffuse lung pathology have been studied. AM mitosis was found in 24 cases. Mitotic index for all the patients was 0.65% and ranged from 0.25 to 2.75%. Electron microscopy revealed the capacity of differentiated forms of AM for mitotic division. Free AM may be regarded as slowly proliferating cell population, capable of self-reproduction in lung pathology.