Langerhans cells and serum precipitating antibodies against fungal antigens in bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma: possible association with pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma.
In an ultrastructural study of 37 cases of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma (BAC), we identified seven cases (19%) in which Langerhans cells (LC) were closely associated with tumor cells. Serum precipitating antibodies against Aspergillus species and/or thermophilic actinomyces were present in five BAC patients whose tumors contained LC and in six patients whose tumors lacked LC. In a simultaneous study we identified marked atypical bronchiolar and alveolar lining cell hypertrophy and hyperplasma in pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma (PEG). Our data plus current information suggesting that PEG is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis support our hypothesis that those cases of BAC in which LC are present may rise in localized or diffuse pulmonary scars caused by PEG.
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000276:immunology; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008864:Microsporum / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D000946:Antigens, Fungal