The protein constituents of human bronchial washings. Their relationship to the defenses of the respiratory tract
Laine, A.; Hayem, A.
Bulletin Europeen de Physiopathologie Respiratoire 13(1): 47-56
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0395-3890 PMID: 321053 Document Number: 123763
To define the composition of normal bronchial secretions, bronchial washings were obtained from normal areas of the lung in 6 patients. An analysis of proteins in the washings was performed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The proteins detected were derived mainly from plasma, and a very low content of secretory proteins was found. The composition of bronchial secretions and bronchial washings from a bronchitic patient was established and compared by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and gel filtration. The most important components were IgA, .alpha.1-antichymotrypsin and .alpha.1-antitrypsin, all of which are defense factors for the respiratory tract.