Moraxella catarrhalis-specific Th1 cells in BAL fluids of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients airway mucosa is infiltrated by macrophages and T lymphocytes, potentially reactive to pathogens. We studied the antigen-specificity and the effector functions of in vivo activated T lymphocytes isolated from BAL (Bronchoalveolar lavage) of 5 Moraxella catarrhalis (Mc)-infected and 5 Mc-non-infected COPD patients. Mc-specific T cells were detected only in BAL or peripheral blood of Moraxella catarrhalis-infected patients. The majority of BAL Mc-specific T cells expressed the T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokine profile with high cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity. Upon antigen stimulation, all Mc-specific T clones were able to help the immunoglobulin production by autologous B cells and the MMP (Matrix MetalloProteinase)-12 activity by monocytes. Our results suggest a role for Th1-driven response to Moraxella catarrhalis in the genesis of COPD.
Amedei
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. aamedei@unifi.it
Della Bella
C
C
Niccolai
E
E
Stanflin
N
N
Benagiano
M
M
Duranti
R
R
Del Prete
G
G
Murphy
T F
TF
D'Elios
M M
MM
D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D045828:Moraxellaceae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D016207:Cytokines; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C507122:MMP12 protein, human; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12