• Question: Are the macrophages dangerous?

    Asked by Adele to Kylie on 13 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Kylie Belchamber

      Kylie Belchamber answered on 13 Jun 2016:

      Hi Nathan,
      No, in fact the opposite! If you didn’t have them, you would be very sick very quickly.
      Macrophages are your first line of defense against bacteria, so stop you from getting infections before you even know it. They also eat dying cells in your organs, so help to hoover up anything that could cause you damage.

      In emphysema (or COPD), the macrophages can’t eat properly, which is why these patients get a lot of lung infections. I am working to try and get them to eat more, so that this doesn’t happen.

      I hope that answers your question!

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