Correlation of clinical and immunologic parameters of the inflammatory activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
The evaluation of activation markers such as T4/T8 ratio and HLA-DR expression of lymphocytes of bronchoalveolar lavage (L-BAL) is an important clinical approach for the staging of sarcoidosis. However, it is not known to what extent this is paralleled by an exaggerated lymphocyte function. We investigated the dependence of L-BAL activation markers on the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by L-BAL and on the soluble IL-2 receptor serum level (sIL-2R) in 116 patients with sarcoidosis. In none of the combinations tested was a correlation between the two groups of parameters found; r less than 0.5, upper 90% confidence limit of r less than 0.8. Interestingly, IL-2 production is independent of HLA-DR+ T4 L-BAL, and sIL-2R production is independent of the percentage of IL-2+ L-BAL. Our data indicate that the L-BAL activation markers and the functional activity of T-cells represent independent phenomena.
Müller-Quernheim
J
J
IIIrd Department of Internal Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
Pfeifer
S
S
Strausz
J
J
Ferlinz
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000473:pathology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2