ABSTRACT
Macrophages are endowed with several important functions which contribute to their central role in host defense against infection. In addition to their phagocytotic capabilities, macrophages also display a considerable capacity to produce and secrete a variety of products which participate in the destruction of invading pathogens. However, the production and secretion of some proteinases as plasminogen activator, collagenases, and elastases by stimulated macrophages have been involved in tissue destruction associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or progressive granulomatous lung disease 1 and lung fibrosis. 2
