Elevation of Anti-cytokeratin 19 Antibody in Sera of the Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Pulmonary Fibrosis Associated With Collagen Vascular Disorders

It has been suggested that cytokeratin 19 is expressed in regenerated bronchoepithelial cells in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, and serum cytokeratin 19 fragment is elevated in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. We hypothesized that serum antibodies to cytokeratin 19 may be formed in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. To prove the existence of anti-cytokeratin 19 antibodies in patients' sera, human recombinant cytokeratin 19 was stained with patients' sera by a Western immunoblot. Then, we tried to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantitate anti-cytokeratin 19 antibody in the sera of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders (PF-CVD). We demonstrated the anti-cytokeratin 19 antibody in patient' sera by a Western immunoblot. In patients with IPF and PF-CVD, significantly high anti-cytokeratin 19 antibody was demonstrated compared with normal volunteers, patients with chronic bronchitis, and patients with pneumonia. These results suggest that anti-cytokeratin 19 antibody may have played a role in the process of lung injury in pulmonary fibrosis. Accepted for publication: 27 May 1999     

Levels of cytokeratin 19 fragments in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid correlate to the intensity of neutrophil and eosinophil-alveolitis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) is a specific cytoskeletal structure for simple epithelia, including bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells (BAEC). Since CK19 is abundant in alveolar epithelial cells, and could be released from injured alveolar epithelium in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we investigated the levels of CK19 fragments in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of 16 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 12 patients with sarcoidosis using enzyme-linked immunoassay. There were also 19 control subjects (10 asymptomatic smokers and nine non-smokers). BALF from the non-smokers as well as the asymptomatic smokers contained few CK19 fragments (0.2+/-0.2, 1.3+/-0.5 pg ml(-1) respectively). There were significantly high levels of CK19 in the BALF from patients with IPF (7.3+/-1.4 pg/ml; P<0.01 vs. control non-smoker). Even if the levels of CK19 were expressed as relative to the albumin concentration, significantly increased levels of CK19 fragments were noted in BALF from patients with IPF. However, these levels were not found in BALF from patients with sarcoidosis. Importantly, levels of CK19 fragment in BALF were significantly correlated to the number of neutrophils (r = 0.791, P<0.001) and eosinophils (r = 0.771, P<0.001) but not to that of macrophages or lymphocytes in BALF from IPF patients. Our results suggest the usefulness of CK19 measurement in BALF for assessing the presence of bronchiolo-alveolar epithelial injuries in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.     

Circulating cytokeratin 8:anti-cytokeratin 8 antibody immune complexes in sera of patients with pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the humoral immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders (PF-CVD). Although circulating immune complexes in patients' sera have been suggested, none of the antigens have been characterized. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to characterize the antigen of the immune complexes in patients' sera of pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: As we previously established that one of the antibodies against A549 cells (lung alveolar type II cells) was anti-cytokeratin 8 (CK8), we confirmed the existence of anti-CK8 antibody in patients' sera by Western immunoblot. In addition, we tried to demonstrate circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes in patients' sera by Western immunoblot. Furthermore, we established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantitate CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes. RESULTS: In patients with pulmonary fibrosis, anti-CK8 antibodies were clearly demonstrated in sera by Western immunoblot. In addition, circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes were also clearly demonstrated by Western immunoblot. It was possible to establish ELISA to quantitate CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes. If the cutoff value, which was determined based on the highest value of normal volunteers, was introduced, high CK8:anti-CK8 antibody complexes were demonstrated in 9 of 31 patients (29.0%) with IPF and PF-CVD. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to clarify the antigen of the circulating immune complex in sera of patients with IPF. These results suggest that circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes may have played a role in the process of lung injury in pulmonary fibrosis.     

Elevation of cytokeratin 19 fragment in patients with interstitial pneumonia associated with polymyositis/dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: Cytokeratin 19 fragment (CK19) levels in serum have been documented as a useful tumor marker for lung cancer. We hypothesize that CK19 may increase in serum in patients with interstitial pneumonia associated with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) and CK19 might be a useful variable to evaluate the activity of lung injury. METHODS: 1. We measured CK19 in sera in 15 patients diagnosed with PM/DM; 6 had nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NIP), 4 had acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), and 5 had no pulmonary involvement. We also measured CK19 in 10 healthy nonsmokers serving as a control group. 2. We evaluated the correlation between CK19 level and individual clinical course in patients with pulmonary involvement associated with PM/DM. RESULTS: CK19 levels in sera of patients with NIP associated with PM/DM were significantly higher versus patients with PM/DM without interstitial pneumonia and healthy nonsmokers. CK19 levels in sera in patients with AIP associated with PM/DM were significantly higher compared with the other groups. CK19 values in sera changed according to the progression or improvement of interstitial pneumonia. Immunohistochemical studies using pulmonary tissues obtained at autopsy from patients with AIP associated with PM/DM revealed that the hyaline membrane was mostly stained by anti-human cytokeratin 19 monoclonal antibody as well as the strong positivity of proliferating type II pneumocytes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the measurement of CK19 was a useful variable to evaluate the activity of lung injury in interstitial pneumonia associated with PM/DM.     

Role of carbohydrate antigens sialyl Lewis (a) (CA19-9) in bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that carbohydrate antigen sialyl Lewis (a) (CA19-9) levels are elevated in serum as well as in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with pulmonary fibrosis. However, the biological significance of CA19-9 is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate correlations between CA19-9 levels in BALF and several biochemical as well as clinical parameters in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, biological functions of CA19-9 were also examined. METHODS: We studied 24 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis: 16 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 8 with pulmonary fibrosis associated with a collagen vascular disorder (PF-CVD). In BALF, carbohydrate antigens sialyl Lewis (a) (CA19-9), elastase: alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor complex (E-PI), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), LDH, IgG, IgA, albumin, and cell differentiation were measured. We also evaluated the effects of CA19-9 on neutrophil functions. RESULTS: CA19-9/albumin levels in BALF significantly correlated with HGF/albumin, elastase/albumin, LDH/albumin, total number of alveolar macrophages, and total number of neutrophils. Purified CA19-9 had a chemotactic activity for neutrophils. In addition, neutrophil chemotactic activity to C5a, fMLP, and interleukin 8 was significantly stimulated after incubation with purified CA19-9. Furthermore, CA19-9 increased the expression of CD15s on neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated (i) CA19-9 in BALF correlated with other markers of inflammation in pulmonary fibrosis, and (ii) CA19-9 can modify neutrophil functions. These results suggest that CA19-9 may play a role in the process of lung injury in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.     

Clinical significance of MCP-1 levels in BALF and serum in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

It has previously been reported that the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the lung tissues of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was different from that in the tissues of patients with other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The aim of this study was to determine whether this difference reflects the amount of MCP-1 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or serum of patients with ILD, and whether such a correlation, if it exists, is clinically useful. MCP-1 concentrations in the BALF and sera were evaluated in 86 patients with ILDs including IPF, acute interstitial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia with collagen vascular disease (IP-CVD), chronic interstitial pneumonia (CIP), bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia, sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and in 10 normal healthy volunteers who were controls (NC). BALF MCP-1 levels were significantly elevated in the IPF, IP-CVD, CIP and sarcoidosis groups compared with the NC group. The level in the IPF group was significantly higher than that in any other patient group. Serum MCP-1 levels in the IPF, IP-CVD, CIP and sarcoidosis groups were significantly higher than the NC group. No statistical difference was found in serum MCP-1 levels between the IPF, IP-CVD and CIP groups. BALF MCP-1 levels were significantly higher than serum MCP-1 levels in the IPF group and lower than in the IP-CVD and CIP groups. Serum MCP-1 levels correlated with the clinical course of ILD treated with corticosteroid therapy. These results show that measurement of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum may be helpful in discriminating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from other types of interstitial lung disease and that monitoring of serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 may be useful for predicting the clinical course of interstitial lung diseases.     

Clinical characterization of interleukin-8 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]

The levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the serum, bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were measured in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. (IPF), in order to evaluate the clinical significance of IL-8. The serum levels were significantly higher in patients with active IPF (34.4 +/- 11.9 pg/ml, n = 8) than in those with stable IPF (mean: 14.6 +/- 10.9 pg/ml, n = 18), but neither correlated with the serum level of KL-6 or of SP-D, or with the intensity of chest Ga67-scintigraphy. There were no significant differences in BALF or ELF IL-8 levels between the active and stable IPF groups. These results suggest that the serum level of IL-8 is a useful marker for evaluating the disease activity in patients with IPF.     

特发性肺纤维化患者支气管肺泡灌洗液和血清基质金属蛋白酶及其抑制剂检测

目的探讨特发性肺纤维化(IPF)患者支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)及血清中基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP9)、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1(TIMP1)水平的变化。方法2001至2004年用酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法检测30例IPF患者BALF及血清中MMP9和TIMP1的水平,同时行肺高分辨率CT(HRCT)及肺功能检查。健康非吸烟的自愿献血者30名,为血清对照组。以胸痛为自觉症状在我院自愿进行纤维支气管镜及BALF检查,经体检及X线检查证实为健康者13名,作为BALF对照组。结果IPF患者BALF及血清中MMP9水平为(245±26)和(203±32)ng/L,对照组为(205±22)和(186±16)ng/L,两组相比差异无统计学意义;IPF组BALF及血清中TIMP1水平[(522±81)、(166±29)ng/L]高于对照组[(201±31)、(87±16)ng/L],差异有统计学意义;IPF组BALF及血清中MMP9/TIMP1比值(0.53±0.18,1.5±0.3)低于对照组(1.06±0.38,2.6±0.5)。HRCT、肺功能评分及BALF中上述指标与MMP9无明显相关性,与TIMP1呈正相关,与MMP9/TIMP1比值呈负相关。结论IPF患者肺纤维化的发生与TIMP1水平升高及MMP9/TIMP1比值降低对细胞外基质降解的抑制有关,后者可能意义更大;患者肺影像学及肺功能变化可能也与此有关。     

Elevation of Anti-Cytokeratin 18 Antibody and Circulating Cytokeratin 18: Anti-Cytokeratin 18 Antibody Immune Complexes in Sera of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

In this study, we hypothesize that anti-cytokeratin 18 (CK18) antibody and CK18:anti-CK18 immune complex increase in sera in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). To prove the existence of anti-CK18 antibodies in patients' sera, bovine CK18 was stained with patients' sera using a Western blotting. In patients with IPF, anti-CK18 antibodies were clearly demonstrated in sera by Western blotting. Then, we tried to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify anti-CK18 antibodies and CK18:anti-CK18 immune complexes in sera of patients with IPF. Levels of anti-human CK18 antibodies in sera of patients with IPF (0.81 ± 0.31, mean ± SD) measured by ELISA were significantly high compared with that of normal volunteers (0.45 ± 0.06, p < 0.01). In addition, levels of CK18:anti-CK18 antibody complexes in patients' sera (0.64 ± 0.35, man ± SD) significantly increased compared with those of normal subjects (0.40 ± 0.10, p < 0.01). These results suggest that anti-CK18 antibody and its immune complex may have played a role in the process of lung injury in IPF. Accepted for publication 30 March 2000     

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils increase after corticosteroid therapy in smokers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are often cigarette smokers and are often being treated with corticosteroids at the time of bronchoalveolar lavage. We addressed the question of whether or not the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophil content of patients with IPF undergoes changes in smokers different from those in nonsmokers after institution of corticosteroids. Eighteen patients were studied (10 smokers and 8 nonsmokers). Fourteen patients (6 smokers and 8 nonsmokers) were treated orally with prednisone. The histologic assessment of alveolar inflammation and inflammatory small airways disease was no different in smokers than in nonsmokers. None of the smokers treated with prednisone had pathologic evidence of emphysema in addition to IPF. Five of 6 smokers showed an increase in BALF neutrophils after 3 months of prednisone (p less than 0.05), whereas the nonsmokers' BALF neutrophils decreased or remained unchanged. This increase in BALF neutrophils in smokers was not associated with concomitant or subsequent clinical deterioration but, in fact, with clinical improvement after 3 months of therapy. These data indicate that the combination of cigarette smoking and corticosteroid therapy influences the BALF neutrophil content in patients with IPF and suggest that interval changes in BALF neutrophil content may not reflect the status of the inflammatory process or structural derangements in the lungs of some patients with IPF.     

Cytokeratin 19 fragment in patients with nonmalignant respiratory diseases

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA) is a specific tumor marker in patients with lung cancer; however, it has been reported that serum CYFRA levels are elevated in some patients with nonmalignant respiratory diseases such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and collagen disease-associated pulmonary fibrosis (CDPF). To investigate the serum CYFRA levels in nonmalignant respiratory diseases in detail, we studied 413 patients with respiratory diseases. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Four hundred thirteen patients with nonmalignant respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Measurements and results: Serum CYFRA levels were measured with a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit. Immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibody Ks 19.1 (Rosch Diagnosica; Bern, Switzerland) on surgically resected or autopsied lung specimens. Gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting was performed with serum samples. In 149 patients with nonmalignant diseases except IPF and CDPF, the ratio of patients with > 3.5 ng/mL of serum CYFRA was 13.4%. In 13 of 30 patients (43.3%) with IPF and CDPF, the serum CYFRA levels were abnormally elevated. The 95th percentile serum CYFRA level of the patients with nonmalignant respiratory diseases was 6.2 ng/mL, and none of them had CYFRA levels > 20.3 ng/mL. Survival in patients with IPF and CDPF with elevated serum CYFRA levels were significantly lower than in those with normal range (p = 0.0335). Western blotting using serum from nonmalignant lung diseases and patients with lung cancer showed no apparent difference between them. An immunohistochemical study indicated CYFRA was selectively expressed in the pulmonary epithelial cells that covered the remodeling alveolar septi in nonmalignant respiratory disease. CONCLUSION: Serum CYFRA was elevated in some nonmalignant respiratory diseases, especially in IPF and CDPF. The value of serum CYFRA would reflect the severity of lung injury in nonmalignant respiratory diseases and might be related to the prognosis in patients with IPF and CDPF.     

IL-17和IL-6在特发性肺纤维化患者中的表达及意义

目的探讨特发性肺纤维化患者支气管肺泡灌洗液和血清中白细胞介素-17(IL-17)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平的变化及临床意义。方法选择:31例特发性肺纤维化患者(病例组)和14例健康就诊者(对照组)为研究对象,采用ELISA法检测两组组BALF和外周血中IL-17和IL-6的水平,分析病例组患者IL-17和IL-6水平与其肺功能的关系。结果 IPF组患者血清和BALF中IL-6水平为均明显高于对照组水平(P0.01);IPF组患者血清和BALF中IL-17水平均明显高于对照组水平(P0.01);IPF组患者血清和BALF患者的IL-6和IL-17水平与FVC、FEV1、FEV1∕FVC和DLco水平均呈现明显的负相关性(P均0.01)。结论 IL-17和IL-6可能在IPF的发病过程中发挥一定作用,并有可能作为判断IPF病情严重程度的一项指标。     

Different angiogenic activity in pulmonary sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence has shown that several chemokines--including those involved in angiogenesis--have been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis. We speculated that these differences could be attributed to distinct angiogenic and angiostatic profiles. This hypothesis was investigated by estimating the levels of three angiogenic chemokines (growth-related gene [GRO]-alpha, epithelial neutrophil-activating protein [ENA]-78, and interleukin [IL]-8), and three angiostatic chemokines (monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-gamma [MIG], IFN-gamma-inducible protein [IP]-10, and IFN-gamma-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant) in serum and BAL fluid (BALF). METHODS: We studied prospectively 20 patients with sarcoidosis (median age, 46 years; range, 25 to 65 years), 20 patients with IPF (median age, 68 years; range, 40 to 75 years), and 10 normal subjects (median age, 39 years; range, 26 to 60 years). RESULTS: The GRO-a serum and BALF levels of IPF patients were found significantly increased in comparison with healthy subjects (799 pg/mL vs 294 pg/mL [p = 0.022] and 1,827 pg/mL vs 94 pg/mL [p < 0.001], respectively) and sarcoidosis patients (799 pg/mL vs 44 pg/mL [p < 0.001] and 1,827 pg/mL vs 214 pg/mL [p < 0.001], respectively). Moreover, ENA-78 and IL-8 BALF levels in IPF patients were significantly higher compared with sarcoidosis patients (191 pg/mL vs 30 pg/mL [p < 0.001] and 640 pg/mL vs 94 pg/mL [p = 0.03], respectively). MIG serum levels in IPF patients were found significantly upregulated in comparison with sarcoidosis patients and healthy control subjects. However, MIG and IP-10 BALF levels (1,136 pg/mL vs 66 pg/mL [p < 0.001] and 112 pg/mL vs 56 pg/mL [p = 0.037], respectively) were significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients compared with IPF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest distinct angiogenic profiles between IPF and sarcoidosis, indicating a potential different role of CXC chemokines in the local immunologic response in IPF and pulmonary sarcoidosis.     

间质性肺疾病患者血清和支气管肺泡灌洗液中内皮素1活性的变化

目的评价内皮素对肺纤维化发生、发展作用的影响。方法利用同位素放射免疫直接测定法,检测１０例肺结节病和８例特发性肺纤维化（ＩＰＦ）患者外周血和支气管肺泡灌洗液（ＢＡＬＦ）中内皮素１（ＥＴ１）的活性,并与８名健康非吸烟者进行对照。结果肺结节病和ＩＰＦ患者血清和ＢＡＬＦ中的ＥＴ１活性分别为（６２±２９）ｎｇ／Ｌ,（１７０±２４）ｎｇ／Ｌ和（７７±７１）ｎｇ／Ｌ、（１０±３）ｎｇ／Ｌ,与正常对照组（２０±８）ｎｇ／Ｌ、（４０±０６）ｎｇ／Ｌ比较,差异有显著性（Ｐ＜００１）;血清中ＥＴ１活性与动脉血氧分压（ＰａＯ２）呈明显负相关（ｒ＝－０５３８,Ｐ＜００１）;结节病组和ＩＰＦ组ＢＡＬＦ中的ＥＴ１水平与ＢＡＬＦ中细胞总数呈正相关（ｒ＝０６４９,Ｐ＜００１）,肺结节病患者、ＩＰＦ患者ＢＡＬＦ中ＥＴ１与淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞呈正相关（ｒ＝０７１２,０８１３,Ｐ均＜００１）。结论ＥＴ１在肺结节病和ＩＰＦ发病机制中起着重要作用,并可作为疾病活动性判定的一项重要参考指标。     

间质性肺疾病患者血清和支气管肺泡灌洗液中内皮素1活？…

评价内皮素对肺纤维化发生，发展作用的影响。方法利用同位素放射免疫直接测定法，检测１０例肺结节病和８例特发性肺纤维化患外周血和支气管肺泡灌洗液中内皮素１（ＥＴ－１）的活性，并与８名健康非吸烟进行对照。结论ＥＴ－１在肺结节病和ＩＰＦ发病机制中起着重要作用，并可作为疾病活动性判定的一项重要参考指标。     

特发性肺纤维化病人支气管肺泡灌洗液中细胞外基质的变化

为探讨细胞外基质在肺纤维化中的作用，检测了１３例特发性肺纤维化（ＩＰＦ）病人和１１例正常人支气管肺泡灌洗液（ＢＡＬＦ）和外周血中纤维连接素（ＦＮ）、透明质酸（ＨＡ）和Ⅲ型前胶原（ＰＣⅢ）水平。结果：（１）ＩＰＦ组ＢＡＬＦ中ＦＮ、ＨＡ和ＰＣⅢ水平分别较外周血明显升高，并且也分别高于对照组ＢＡＬＦ中的水平；（２）ＩＰＦ组ＢＡＬＦ中的ＦＮ和ＨＡ均分别与细胞总数和中性粒细胞数（％）呈正相关，而ＰＣⅢ与肺泡巨噬细胞总数呈正相关。另外，ＦＮ、ＨＡ、ＰＣⅢ之间均呈明显的正相关。结果提示：ＩＰＦ病人肺内ＦＮ、ＨＡ和ＰＣⅢ产生增多；ＢＡＬＦ中ＦＮ、ＨＡ和ＰＣⅢ的水平从不同侧面反映了疾病活动性并具有估计预后的作用。     

Elevated BALF concentrations of alpha- and beta-defensins in patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Defensins are endogenous antibiotics and regulators of inflammation, immunity and wound repair. Their concentrations are substantially increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with infectious lung diseases. alpha-defensin (HAD) levels are also elevated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and correlated with the decline in pulmonary function tests, suggesting the association of defensins with the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of defensins in interstitial lung diseases. Serum and BALF levels of HAD and beta-defensin 1 and 2 (HBD-1, and -2) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 63 patients with interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), IPF, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and in 9 healthy volunteers as controls. Levels of HAD in BALF of patients with PAP were significantly higher than those in controls and patients with COP and sarcoidosis. Serum levels of HAD in all groups were significantly higher than those in controls. Levels of HBD-1 and -2 in BALF of patients with PAP were extremely high in all subjects. Serum levels of HBD-1 were higher in all patient groups, with the exception of those with PAP, and those of HBD-2 were also higher in patients with IPF and sarcoidosis, compared with controls. BALF of PAP patients, but not IPF patients and controls, expressed antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Our findings suggest different kinetics of HAD and HBD-1 and -2 in serum and BALF of interstitial lung diseases and that these antimicrobial peptides in the airway lumen may contribute to prevention of bacterial airway infections in PAP.     

探讨TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF对特发性肺纤维化诊断及病情评估的临床意义

目的探讨分泌转化生长因子-β、血小板衍生生长因子、血管内皮生长因子在特发性肺纤维化(IPF)患者支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)和血清中的表达水平及评估病情进展的临床意义。 方法选择2014年1月至2018年12月在我院呼吸科诊治的35例IPF患者作为观察组,18例肺结节病患者(Ⅰ期)作为对照组;采用免疫印迹观察TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF在IPF患者血清中是否存在表达;用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)观察2组患者BALF和血清中TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF的表达水平;最后分析IPF患者BALF和血清中TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF表达水平与肺功能及血氧饱和度的相关性。 结果TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF细胞印在IPF患者血清存在表达;与对照组相比,BALF及血清中的TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF表达上调(P<0.05);IPF组患者BALF及血清中TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF表达水平与肺功能中FVC%、FEV₁%和DLCO%呈负性相关(P<0.05);与血氧饱和度也呈显著负相关(P<0.05)。 结论IPF患者BALF和血清中TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF的表达水平明显升高;TGFβ1、PDGF、VEGF与患者的肺功能及血氧饱和度呈负相关,可作为评估IPF患者病情的临床评价指标。     

特发性肺纤维化患者肺泡灌洗液及血清中白细胞介素4、12水平变化的意义

目的探讨特发性肺纤维化（IPF）患者肺泡灌洗液及血清中自细胞介素4、12（IL-4、IL-12）水平变化的意义。方法用酶联免疫吸附法，检测30例IPF患者（IPF组）血清及支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中IL-4、IL-12的水平；健康非吸烟的自愿献血者30名，为血清对照组，检测其血清IL4、IL-12的水平；以胸痛为主诉进行BALF检查证实为健康者9名，作为BALF对照组，检测其BALF中IL-4、IL-12的水平。结果IPF组患者BALF中IL-4为（84．87±26．10）pg／ml、IL-12为（12．33±6．89）pg／ml，对照组BALF中IL-4、IL-12分别为（55．78±22．88）、（46．674-24．67）pg／ml，两组相比差异有显著意义（P值均〈0．01）；IPF组患者血清IL-4水平的变化与BLAF一致，但血清IL-12为（45．70±25．65）pg／ml，与血清对照组（46．80±23．73）pg／ml相比差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论IPF时Th1型细胞因子IL-12水平下降主要发生在肺组织局部，而Th2型细胞因子IL-4水平增高的变化是一种全身性行为，TH1／Th2型细胞因子平衡失调，在IPF的发生、发展过程中起着重要的作用。