ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of downregulated expression of cell membrane regulatory protein Paralemmin-3 (PALM3) on alveolar macrophage polarization. Methods(1) NR8383 cells of alveolar macrophages in rats were obtained, and their PALM3 expression was detected by using the immunofluorescence method. (2) NR8383 cells were stimulated to polarize into M1 and M2 alveolar macrophages by employing 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide, and 20 ng/mL interleukin (IL)-4, respectively, and non-intervened normal NR8383 cells were obtained as M0 alveolar macrophages. The mRNA and protein expressions of PALM3 in NR8383 cells were detected. (3) NR8383 cells were assigned to Control-siRNA group, PALM3-siRNA group, or normal control group. Control-siRNA and PALM3-siRNA were transfected into NR8383 cells in the Control-siRNA group and PALM3-siRNA group, respectively, and no intervention was performed in the normal control group. After evaluating the transfection effect, NR8383 cells in various groups were stimulated with 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide and 20 ng/mL IL-4. The contents of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-10 in the supernatant of various groups were detected, and the mRNA expressions of CD80, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), CD206, and arginase 1(ARG1) in cells were detected. Results(1) PALM3 molecule was expressed in NR8383 cells and located in the cell membrane. (2) The mRNA and protein expressions of PALM3 in M1 alveolar macrophages, M0 alveolar macrophages, and M2 alveolar macrophages were decreased successively (P<0.05). (3) After transfection with siRNA and lipopolysaccharide stimulation, compared with the normal control group and the Control-siRNA group, the mRNA expressions of M1 surface markers CD86 and iNOS in NR8383 cells of the PALM3-siRNA group were down-regulated, and the content of TNF-α in the supernatant was decreased (P<0.05). After transfection with siRNA and IL-4 stimulation, the mRNA expressions of M2 surface markers CD206 and ARG1 in NR8383 cells were up-regulated in the PALM3-siRNA group as compared with the normal control group and the Control-siRNA group, and the content of IL-10 in the supernatant was elevated (P<0.05). ConclusionPALM3 is expressed on the membrane of alveolar macrophages, and is highly expressed in M1 alveolar macrophages. Down-regulation of PALM3 expression can inhibit M1 polarization of alveolar macrophages and promote their M2 polarization, which helps to inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory factors and promote the release of anti-inflammatory factors.