BAL lymphocyte activation antigens and diffusing capacity are related in mild to moderate pulmonary sarcoidosis.
To investigate the relationship [corrected] between immunocytological features of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and clinical indices in sarcoidosis, we studied the lymphocyte subsets, as well as the expression of human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) and interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) antigens in BAL lymphocytes. We studied 16 patients with untreated sarcoidosis and 12 control subjects. We found significantly higher absolute numbers of lymphocytes bearing the IL-2R antigen in sarcoidosis. A stronger difference between groups was observed in both the percentage and absolute numbers of HLA-DR+ lymphocytes. We also found a moderate but significant correlation between the number of lymphocytes expressing the activation antigens and single breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity in patients with sarcoidosis: DLCO vs HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (r = -0.60); DLCO vs IL-2R+ lymphocytes (r = -0.62); carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO vs HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (r = -0.53); and KCO vs IL-2R+ lymphocytes (r = -0.58). Our results suggest that the reduction in diffusing capacity, expressed as either DLCO or KCO, results from the severity of alveolitis in mild to moderate sarcoidosis.
Servei de Pneumologia, Hospital Clinic, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
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A
Xaubet
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Agustí
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J
Roca
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C
Picado
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Rodriguez-Roisin
D000328:Adult; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2