Changes of extracellular matrix components in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Zhao, H.; Chen, B.; Li, Z.
Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 36(7): 457-460
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1426 PMID: 10436946 Document Number: 469692
To clarify the roles of extracellular matrix in pulmonary fibrosis, we determined the levels of fibronectin (FN), hyaluronan (HA) and procollagen III (PC III) in peripheral blood and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in 13 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 11 normal subjects. The levels of FN, HA and PC III in BALF in patient group were not only significantly higher than those in own peripheral blood, but also significantly higher than those in BALF in control group. In patient group, the levels of FN and HA in BALF were respectively correlated with total cell numbers and neutrophils. PC III levels were related to alveolar macrophages. Also, there were positive correlation between FN, HA and PC III in BALF. These results suggested that the productions of FN, HA and PC III within the lung in IPF were increased and that the levels of FN, HA and PC III in BALF might reflect the activity of the disease from different aspects and play a role in estimating prognosis.