[The relationship between transforming growth factor-beta1, platelet derived growth factor and airway remodeling in eosinophilic bronchitis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and airway remodeling in eosinophilic bronchitis (EB).


METHODS
Bronchial biopsy specimens were obtained from 12 patients with EB (A group), 10 asthmatic patients (B group) and 10 patients (C group) with peripheral lung cancer in early stage. The subepithelial basement membrane (SBM) thickness was measured by light microscopy using HE staining. The expressions of TGF-beta(1) and PDGF in the bronchial mucosa were examined by immunostaining.


RESULTS
The SBM of A group [(6.3 +/- 1.4) micro m] was significantly thicker than that of C group [(4.1 +/- 1.2) micro m, P < 0.05], but significantly thinner than that of B group [(8.2 +/- 1.5) micro m]. The numbers of positive cells for TGF-beta(1) and PDGF in A group (59 +/- 9, 47 +/- 7 respectively) and B group (85 +/- 12, 76 +/- 11, respectively) were significantly higher than those in C group (31 +/- 4, 20 +/- 3, respectively), and were positively correlated with SBM thickness (r = 0.76, 0.52, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that TGF-beta(1) and PDGF expressions in bronchial mucosa may play a role in bronchial subepithelial fibrosis in EB patients.
Li
Huai-chen
HC
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, China.
Zhang
Jin
J
Huang
Chen
C
Wang
Mao-fen
MF
Jiang
Shu-juan
SJ
Mu
Xiao-yan
XY
Lin
Dian-jie
DJ
Chi
Xiang-yu
XY
Su
Li-li
LL
Zhu
Ling
L
Zhang
Cai-qing
CQ
D000328:Adult; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta