Macrophage metalloelastase: Stretching therapeutic opportunities

Abstract

While tissue macrophages are at the first line of microbial host defense, they are also convenient hideouts for pathogens escaping immune attack. Houghton et al. discovered that alveolar macrophage mobilizes macrophage metalloelastase to destroy bacteria present inside the cell. © The Author (2009). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, IBCB, SIBS, CAS. All rights reserved.