[The potential role of cytokines expression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the protein and gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells and open lung biopsies from patients with IPF.


METHODS
The immunohistochemical methods were used to analyze the expression of PDGF, TGF-beta in bronchoalveolar lavage cells of patients with IPF. For open lung biopsies, both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used.


RESULTS
In specimens of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, TGF-beta were localized to alveolar macrophages in patients with IPF. Though there were no differences between IPF and sarcoidosis in terms of the staining intensity (2.5 - 3.0) or number of positive cells 81% - 90%, the number of such cells were less in the control (0 - 1.7, 25% - 32% respectively). Evaluation of open lung biopsies from patients with IPF showed that PDGF, TGF-beta proteins were localized to hyperplastic bronchio-alveolar epithelial cells (2.4 - 3.7, in control 0), alveolar macrophages (2.9 - 3.7, in control 0.8 - 1.3), fibroblasts (3.0 - 3.6, in control 2.7 - 2.8), vascular smooth muscle cells, vascular endothelial cells, and fibroblast-like cells surrounding pulmonary vessels (2.7 - 4.0, in control 2.1 - 2.9). In situ hybridization results were consistent with that of immunohistochemistry except that PDGF and TGF-beta mRNA transcripts were not detected in bronchio-alveolar epithelial cells. In control lungs, however, both ISH and IHC revealed that PDGF and TGF-beta were only present in the pleura and in fibroblast-like cells surrounding pulmonary vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
PDGF and TGF-beta, which interplay with pulmonary mesenchymal cells, are involved in fibroplasia and deposition of extracellular matrix as well as angiogenesis and epithelial cell repopularization.
Guo
Z
Z
Department of Respiratory Diseases, PUMC Hospital, PUMC & CAMS, Beijing 100730.
Cao
B
B
Zhu
Y
Y
Xu
W
W
D000077214:Becaplermin; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C075278:platelet-derived growth factor A; D000077214:Becaplermin