Increased Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid CD1c Expressing Dendritic Cells in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Vol. 78, No. 4, 2009

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 231 KB)

Basic Science Investigations

Increased Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid CD1c Expressing Dendritic Cells in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
M. Tsoumakidou^{a, b}, K.P. Karagiannis^a, I. Bouloukaki^a, S. Zakynthinos^b, N. Tzanakis^a, N.M. Siafakas^a

^aDepartment of Thoracic Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, and
^bDepartment of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece

Address of Corresponding Author

Respiration 2009;78:446-452 (DOI: 10.1159/000226244)

Key Words

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Dendritic cells
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Chronic inflammation is implicated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis and is associated with persistent activation of immune responses. These are largely controlled by dendritic cells (DCs). Although large numbers of DCs infiltrate the lungs of patients with IPF, there are no similar reports in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Objectives: We aimed to investigate DC populations in BALF of IPF patients. Methods: CD1c⁺ myeloid DCs, BDCA3^high myeloid DCs, BDCA2⁺ plasmacytoid DCs and CD83⁺ mature DCs were identified by flow cytometry in the BALF of 10 IPF patients and 10 controls. DC numbers were expressed as percentages of total BALF leukocytes. Results: CD1c⁺ myeloid DCs were increased in IPF patients versus controls [median (ranges in parentheses) 1.16% (0.25–3.97) vs. 0.61% (0.19–1.10), p = 0.01]. There was also a trend towards increased BDCA3^high myeloid DCs [0.57% (0.23–0.88) vs. 0.28% (0.07–0.96), p = 0.07]. No differences were reported in BDCA2⁺ DCs and CD83⁺ DCs between IPF patients and controls. Conclusions: IPF is associated with an increase in percentages of BALF myeloid DCs. Considering that such an increase was not observed in CD83⁺ mature DCs, most of these DCs should be immature.

Author Contacts

M. Tsoumakidou
University Hospital of Heraklion
Department of Thoracic Medicine
GR–71110 Voutes, Heraklion (Greece)
Tel. +30 69 7221 3858, Fax +30 28 1054 2650, E-Mail tsoumak@yahoo.gr

Article Information

Received: January 29, 2009
Accepted after revision: April 9, 2009
Published online: June 24, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 25

This journal is part of the third subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.