Investigation of the alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes in 15 patients with systemic sclerosis

• Published in: Clinical rheumatology Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 357 - 363
• Main Authors: Czirják, L, Koncz, A, Varga, I, Dévényi, K, Kumánovics, G, Szücs, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Springer Nature B.V 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Adult; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - chemistry; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - cytology; Cells, Cultured; Chemotaxis; Culture Media, Conditioned - metabolism; Female; Humans; Interleukin-6 - biosynthesis; Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Lung Diseases - immunology; Lungs; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Lymphocytes; Macrophages, Alveolar - cytology; Macrophages, Alveolar - immunology; Macrophages, Alveolar - metabolism; Middle Aged; Phagocytosis - immunology; Scleroderma, Systemic - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis; Yeast
• ISSN: 0770-3198; 1434-9949
• DOI: 10.1007/s100670050119

The cell distribution and function of alveolar macrophages and T lymphocytes were investigated in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 15 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In alveolar macrophages, both spontaneous and PMA-stimulated TNF-alpha production were increased in SSc. PMA-induced IL-6 production was also elevated. Spontaneous IL-6 excretion of scleroderma alveolar macrophages was similar to the controls. Yeast and C3b-coated yeast (opsonised yeast) phagocytosis, chemotaxis and Fc receptor activity of alveolar macrophages were normal. The proportion of CD3, CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte subsets in the BAL was similar to the control values. The lymphocyte blast transformation index of the non-adherent cells deriving from the BAL fluid was markedly decreased.