title: Investigation of the alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes in 15 patients with systemic sclerosis.
abstract: The cell distribution and function of alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes were investigated in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 15 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In alveolar macrophages, both spontaneous and PMA-stimulated TNF-alpha production were increased in SSc. PMA-induced IL-6 production was also elevated. Spontaneous IL-6 excretion of scleroderma alveolar macrophages was similar to the controls. Yeast and C3b-coated yeast (opsonised yeast) phagocytosis, chemotaxis and Fc receptor activity of alveolar macrophages were normal. The proportion of CD3, CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte subsets in the BAL was similar to the control values. The lymphocyte blast transformation index of the non-adherent cells deriving from the BAL fluid was markedly decreased.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical School of Pécs, Hungary. Czirjak@apacs.pote.hu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Czirják
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koncz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dévényi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kumánovics
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szücs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002633:Chemotaxis; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha