Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

BC Trapnell, JA Whitsett, K Nakata - New England Journal of …, 2003 - Mass Medical Soc
BC Trapnell, JA Whitsett, K Nakata
New England Journal of Medicine, 2003Mass Medical Soc
In acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, lipids and proteins accumulate within the alveoli
because alveolar macrophages cannot catabolize surfactants. Surprisingly, alveolar
macrophages require granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to
perform this function. Autoantibodies against GM-CSF may cause pulmonary alveolar
proteinosis.
In acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, lipids and proteins accumulate within the alveoli because alveolar macrophages cannot catabolize surfactants. Surprisingly, alveolar macrophages require granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to perform this function. Autoantibodies against GM-CSF may cause pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
The New England Journal Of Medicine