Influenza Virus Infection of Human Alveolar and Blood-Derived Macrophages: Differences in Accessory Cell Function and Interferon Production

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Abstract
Influenza virus infection in vitro depresses accessory cell function of human peripheral blood-derived macrophages (PBMφ) for lymphocyte proliferative responses, but effects on such functions of alveolar macrophages (AlvMφ) have not been described. AlvMφ were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from normal young volunteers, and the effects of influenza virus infection of AlvMφ and autologous PBMφ were compared by measuring the accessory support provided by these cells for phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferation of purified autologous lymphocytes. Accessory cell function of AlvMφ was not altered by viral infection; in contrast, this function was significantly depressed with autologous virus-infected PBMφ. Virus-infected PBMφ produced greater amounts of interferon than did autologous AlvMφ. However, synthesis of interferon or prostaglandins by virus-infected cells could not account, per se, for depression of lymphocyte responses in the presence of PBMφ. These studies detail functional heterogeneity of autologous PBMφ and AlvMφ in response to a common respiratory-tract pathogen, influenza virus.