Abstract
Lung macrophages, as key components of the pulmonary immune system, exert multiple key functions in maintaining pulmonary homeostasis and immune defense by eliminating pathogens (such as bacteria and viruses), modulating inflammatory responses, participating in antigen presentation, and promoting tissue repair. This review summarizes the fundamental biological functions of lung macro- phages and explores their mechanisms of action in diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), influenza, tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer. Mounting evidence highlights the crucial link between macrophage dysfunction and disease progression. With the advent of advanced technologies such as single-cell transcriptomics, CRISPR gene editing, and proteomics, our understanding of lung macrophage heterogeneity, developmental origins, and functional landscapes has significantly expanded. However, challenges remain in the field, and future research requires interdisciplinary efforts to unravel the molecular mechanisms of macrophages in disease and to develop novel therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of lung diseases.