Arachidonic acid metabolism in lung phagocytes.

Arachidonic acid metabolism in the lung leads to the formation of a variety of biologically active products, including one of the major mediator substances of asthma, SRS-A. Although a number of cell types in the lung release arachidonic acid products, the alveolar macrophage occupies a prominent role because of the high arachidonic acid content of its membrane and its potent secretory capacity. An improved understanding of the factors that regulate arachidonic acid metabolism and improved methods to modify it may lead to better treatments for disease processes within the lung.