Interstitial vascularity in fibrosing alveolitis.
The aim of this study was to evaluate interstitial vascularity in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA) and in fibrosing alveolitis associated with systemic sclerosis (FASSc). Open lung biopsies from eight patients with CFA, nine patients with FASSc, and normal lung from 12 patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer were studied. Markers for endothelial cells (CD34) and cell proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) were localized by sequential immunohistochemistry and quantified using computer-assisted analysis. Vascular distribution was evaluated at increasing distances (up to 160 microm) from the airspaces. Vessel density was markedly reduced in both FASSc (3.9%) and in CFA (4.5%) compared with control samples (20.4%, p < 0.0001). The percentage of tissue occupied by vessels decreased with increasing distance from alveoli in control samples but not in CFA or FASSc samples. Endothelial cell proliferation indices were increased in FASSc but not in CFA, compared with control samples (p = 0.006). In conclusion, there is net vascular ablation and redistribution of blood vessels in areas of interstitial thickening in both CFA and FASSc, which may contribute to gas exchange impairment.
Renzoni
Elisabetta A
EA
Department of Pathology, Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom. e.renzoni@ic.ac.uk
Walsh
David A
DA
Salmon
Michael
M
Wells
Athol U
AU
Sestini
Piersante
P
Nicholson
Andrew G
AG
Veeraraghavan
Srihari
S
Bishop
Anne E
AE
Romanska
Hanna M
HM
Pantelidis
Panagiotis
P
Black
Carol M
CM
Du Bois
Roland M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004727:Endothelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000098:blood supply*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology*
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen