Alveolar macrophage response to carbon in monocyte-depleted mice.

The predominant source of alveolar macrophages is monocytic migration with a smaller proportion arising from dividing interstitial cells. To determine how this system responds to particulate loading when depleted of monocytes, mice received 650 rad whole body irradiation followed by 4 mg carbon instilled into the trachea. Control groups included irradiated mice given no carbon and nonirradiated mi…