title: Peaks of transforming growth factor-beta mRNA in alveolar cells of lung transplant recipients as an early marker of chronic rejection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic lung rejection (CLR) induces a fibroproliferative disorder leading to the occlusion of small airways. It has emerged as the major factor limiting the survival of lung transplant recipients. Predictive markers of CLR are lacking, and its diagnosis is generally ascertained when the fibrosis process is irreversible.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have quantified the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a critical mediator of fibrogenesis, in alveolar cells from lung transplant recipients using a competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have shown that patients with CLR presented marked peaks of TGF-beta mRNA expression, in contrast with patients without CLR. These peaks preceded the diagnosis of CLR by several months in two of three patients who died within 2 years of diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that TGF-beta expression in alveolar cells could serve as an early predictive and prognostic marker of chronic lung rejection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Immunologie Pulmonaire, Hôpital Laënnec, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Charpin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valcke
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kettaneh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Epardeau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Israël-Biet
mesh_terms: D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta