[Proliferative activity and bacteriostatic capacity of human alveolar macrophages (proceedings)].

Human alveolar macrophages were collected by bronchopulmonary lavage and their proliferation activity and bacteriostatic capacity determined in vitro. Compared with blood monocytes the alveolar macrophages show a higher degree of differentiation with a very high bacteriostatic capacity and no proliferation acitivity. There were no major differences between alveolar macrophages from healthy individuals, heavy smokers and patients with bronchogenic cancer.