Bronchoscopic Microsampling to Analyze the Epithelial Lining Fluid of Patients with Pulmonary <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> Complex Disease

Abstract

Background: A new bronchoscopic microsampling (BMS) probe has recently been developed, which allows the minimally invasivecollection of epithelial lining fluid (ELF) simultaneously from multiple sites. While the number of immunocompetent patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex(MAC) disease is growing, the precise pathogenesis of the disease remains to be clarified. Objectives: This study aimed to measure biochemical markers in the ELF of patients with pulmonary MAC disease using BMS. Methods: We studied 8 healthy volunteers (controls) and 8 patients with pulmonary MAC disease. In the patients, ELF was collected from visibly abnormal (involved) and normal (uninvolved) sites using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Results: The concentration of IFN-γ (means ± SEM) was significantly higher in patient ELF sampled from involved (26.62 ± 9.66 pg/ml) than from uninvolved sites (5.33 ± 1.44 pg/ml; p < 0.05) or from normal controls (<1.56 pg/ml; p < 0.05). In most patients, there was no difference in IFN-γ concentrations between the involved and uninvolved sites. The concentration of KL-6 in ELF was significantly higher in the involved (793 ± 108 U/ml) than in the uninvolved sites (192 ± 43 U/ml;p < 0.05) or in normal controls (186 ± 38 U/ml;p < 0.05). Conclusions: The specific inflammatory reaction caused by MAC infection might not be limited to sites that were visibly abnormal on HRCT. Although further improvement has to be considered, BMS may help to increase the understanding of the pathogenesis of various respiratory disorders.

Relationship Between Lung Cancer and Mycobacterium Avium Complex Isolated Using Bronchoscopy

“…The present study also demonstrated that for most of the cases with comorbid MACLD and lung cancer, the two diseases existed in the same lobe. In another study, analysis of the epithelial lining fluid revealed that the inflammatory reaction caused by MAC might spread to an unaffected area other than the original MAC-infected area [ 28 ]. Furthermore, attention has been paid to the Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases, such as interferon gamma receptor deficiencies and impaired interleukin-2 production, although no data were presented here regarding this [ 29 ].…”

Involvement of E-cadherin cleavage in reperfusion injury

“…In facilities performing lung transplantation, it may be possible to collect epithelial lining fluid of the grafted lung by minimally invasive microsampling after the operation and measure Ecadherin in this fluid [24]. The serial monitoring of reperfusion injury by such a method may prevent complications after lung transplantation and allow early treatment.…”

Proteomic analysis of human epithelial lining fluid by microfluidics‐based nanoLC‐MS/MS: A feasibility study

“…ELF can be obtained by bronchoscopic microprobe sampling (BMP), a technique that uses small adsorptive probes . ELF collected in this way contains higher concentrations of biologically active molecules .…”

“…ELF collected in this way contains higher concentrations of biologically active molecules . Another advantage of microprobe sampling is that the locations from which ELF was obtained are clearly defined and it allows collection of ELF from both central and peripheral airways .…”