Upregulation of lung dendritic cell functions in elastase-induced emphysema.
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now considered a chronic inflammatory disease. Although dendritic cells (DCs) are thought to play a key role in immune responses, studies investigating the role of DCs in COPD are quite limited.


METHODS
Porcine pancreas elastase was intratracheally administered to C57BL/6J mice on day 0. On days 2, 7 and 14, emphysema formation was evaluated by pressure-volume relationships and microscopic findings, including measurement of the mean linear intercept. Lung DCs were isolated on day 2, and their ability to stimulate allogeneic T cells and to produce cytokines was examined.


RESULTS
Pathologic emphysematous change was observed on day 2 and a significant increase in lung volume was observed on day 14. Lung DC function, such as the induction of T-cell proliferation and IL-10 production, was upregulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Upregulation of DC function was observed in elastase-induced emphysema. Further investigation on the contribution to emphysema formation may provide a useful target for future therapy.
Harada
Hiroaki
H
Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
Imamura
Mitsuru
M
Okunishi
Katsuhide
K
Nakagome
Kazuyuki
K
Matsumoto
Taku
T
Sasaki
Oh
O
Tanaka
Ryoichi
R
Yamamoto
Kazuhiko
K
Dohi
Makoto
M
D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004646:Emphysema / Q000276:immunology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016753:Interleukin-10; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase