Interleukin-13 and its receptors in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: clinical implications for lung function.
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is characterized by varying degrees of interstitial fibrosis. IL-13 and IL-4 are strong inducers of tissue fibrosis, whereas IFN-gamma has antifibrotic potential. However, the roles of these substances in IIP remain unknown. IL-13, IL-4, and IFN-gamma were measured in the BAL fluid of 16 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, 10 nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) patients, and 8 normal controls. The expression of IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha1/alpha2 in lung tissues was analyzed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. IL-13 levels were significantly higher in IPF patients than the others (P<0.05). IL-4 levels were higher in both IPF and NSIP patients than in normal controls (P<0.05), and IFN-gamma levels were lower in NSIP patients than in normal controls (P=0.047). IL-13 levels correlated inversely with FVC% (r=-0.47, P=0.043) and DLCO% (r=-0.58, P=0.014) in IPF and NSIP patients. IL-13 was strongly expressed in the smooth muscle, bronchial epithelium, alveolar macrophages and endothelium of IPF patients. IL-13Ralpha1, rather than IL-13Ralpha2, was strongly expressed in the smooth muscle, bronchial epithelium, and endothelium of IPF patients. IL-13 and its receptors may contribute to the pathogenesis of fibrosis in IIP and appear to be related to the severity of the disease.
Park
Sung-Woo
SW
Genome Research Center for Allergy and Respiratory Disease, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
Ahn
Mi-Hyun
MH
Jang
Hee Kyung
HK
Jang
An Soo
AS
Kim
Do-Jin
DJ
Koh
Eun-Suk
ES
Park
Jong-Sook
JS
Uh
Soo-Taek
ST
Kim
Yong Hoon
YH
Park
Jai Soung
JS
Paik
Sang Hyun
SH
Shin
Hwa-Kyun
HK
Youm
Wook
W
Park
Choon-Sik
CS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054988:Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000032:analysis*; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D053663:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha2 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D018793:Interleukin-13; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit; D053663:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha2 Subunit; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma