[The immune system of the lungs in healthy subjects and in chronic nonspecific diseases].

Resistance of lung to the action of damaging factors is determined by the mechanisms of non-specific defence and immunologic responseveness that is expressed by systemic and local immune reactions. Local immune response in bronchi is brought about by a lymphoid tissue associated with bronchi. Alveolar macrophages carry out a main protective function in the respiratory parts. Participation of an immune system in the pathogenesis of chronic non-specific diseases is expressed by a lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, increased synthesis of immunoglobulins, increased number of macrophages and neutrophils. The role of an immunocomplex mechanism and cell hypersensitivity factors in the focus of damage remains unclear. A promising hypothesis in the study of immunopathology of chronic non-specific lung diseases is that of the role of an immune imbalance is their etiology and pathogenesis.