An assay for the assessment of lipocortin 1 levels in human lung lavage fluid.
The physiological function of the lipocortins, proteins which are thought to be glucocorticoid-regulated, is unclear. An improved assay for lipocortins might help to elucidate their role. A rapid and specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for lipocortin 1 with a working range of 1-2000 ng/ml and an interrun coefficient of variation of less than 10% is described and used in this pilot study to quantify human lipocortin 1 for the first time in acellular bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and in media conditioned by BAL cells, from control patients and those with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Using this assay a statistically significant relationship, not previously observed in man, has been demonstrated between concentrations of lipocortin 1/ml of BALF and serum cortisol levels (n = 10, rs = 0.6939, P less than 0.05). Although lipocortin 1 levels in acellular BALF were the same in control and sarcoid patients, significantly more lipocortin 1 was released from sarcoid BAL cells in culture (median 21.6, range 8.1-45.4 ng lipocortin/10(6) cells/h in culture) than from control cells (2.5, 1.5-7.6 ng lipocortin/10(6) cells/h in culture). The possible clinical significance of these data is discussed, but remains to be established.
Smith
S F
SF
Bath Institute of Rheumatic Diseases, Trim Bridge, U.K.
Goulding
N J
NJ
Godolphin
J L
JL
Tetley
T D
TD
Roberts
C M
CM
Guz
A
A
Flower
R J
RJ
D017302:Annexins; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007118:Immunoassay; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
D017302:Annexins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D006854:Hydrocortisone