[Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 by alveolar macrophages from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial pulmonary disease].
The aim of this study was to measure the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by alveolar macrophages in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Rheumatoid arthritis patients diagnosed by ACR criteria (n = 8) with associated ILD documented by pulmonary function tests and high resolution computerized tomography scanning, and 12 healthy volunteers (6 smokers and 6 nonsmokers). We determined the spontaneous and induced production of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LSP), TNF-alpha and IL-6 by alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. The macrophages were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation and plastic adherence and cultured in serum-containing medium (low endotoxin) in the presence and absence of LPS (100 ng/ml). TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels contents were determined in supernatants by ELISA. In the patient group both spontaneous and induced production of TNF-alpha were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.01). Macrophages stimulated with LPS in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ILD also released greater amounts of IL-6 than did those of the healthy controls. IL-6 spontaneous and induced production was significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. TNF-alpha and IL-6 production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ILD, studied in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens reveals that alveolar macrophages are hyperreactive in these patients, who are possibly sensitized as a consequence of the inflammatory lung process inherent to the disease. Further study is needed to define the pathogenic role of these mediators.
Ancochea
J
J
Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid.
Girón
R M
RM
López-Botet
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000378:metabolism*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha