Elevated Levels of β-<i>D</i>-Glucan in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Patients with Farmer’s Lung in Miyazaki, Japan

Abstract

Background: Farmers may be often exposed to β-D-glucan in moldy hay, since straw for feed can be stored throughout the year. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to clarify whether levels of β-D-glucan, which modifies immune responses, are high in the respiratory tract in farmer’s lung and whether β-D-glucan participates in the pathogenesis of this condition. Methods: We measured β-D-glucan levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 10 patients with farmer’s lung, 4 with summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and 10 healthy volunteers. Interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We investigated the effects of β-D-glucan on nuclear factor (NF)-ĸB activation and on the release of IL-8 and TNF-α from small airway epithelial cells (SAECs) in vitro. Results: β-D-Glucan levels in the BALF of farmer’s lung patients were increased compared to those in patients with summer-type HP and in healthy volunteers. Additionally, IL-8 levels in BALF were higher in farmer’s lung than in summer-type HP, and TNF-α levels were equal in the two patient groups but raised compared to those in healthy volunteers. High, but not low, concentrations of β-D-glucan were found to induce NF-ĸB activation in SAECs. IL-8 levels in the supernatant obtained from SAEC cultures were increased following the addition of β-D-glucan in vitro. Conclusion: BALF from farmer’s lung patients showed high β-D-glucan levels, which may enhance the expression and release of cytokines through NF-ĸB activation in respiratory epithelial cells.

Inflammatory markers and pulmonary granuloma infiltration in sarcoidosis

“…The finding that β‐glucan levels were higher in patients with sarcoidosis is similar to the findings in previous studies on acute eosinophilic pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis . Our results suggest that the degree of β‐glucan in the lungs reflects the fungal exposure at home.…”

“…The finding that β-glucan levels were higher in patients with sarcoidosis is similar to the findings in previous studies on acute eosinophilic pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. 22,23 Our results suggest that the degree of β-glucan in the lungs reflects the fungal exposure at home. Among those with high levels of cytokines but a low level of fungal exposure at home, exposure at the workplace may play a role.…”

Occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a koji brewer

“…However, she did not have a fever or an increased peripheral WBC count or serum CRP value when her β ‐D‐glucan value and Aspergillus antigen index increased, and no findings suggesting invasive infection were found. Although one case of HP with an increased β ‐D‐glucan value in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was reported , no cases with increased serum values of β ‐D‐glucan or Aspergillus antigen index have been reported. β ‐D‐glucan is an attractive antigen in that it is found in a broad range of fungal agents, including the commonly encountered agents Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and Pneumocystis jirovecii .…”

Increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1α expression in lung cells of horses with recurrent airway obstruction

“…Yet, emerging evidence suggests that a synergistic effect may exist between inhaled LPS and organic dust particulates. Hif1 activation could also be enhanced by other components present in the hay dust, such as Alternaria spores, β-Glucans, which also could activate NF- κB [27,28], even though this hypothesis will require further testing. From this first study, we suggest that LPS or other components present in hay dust may upregulate Hif1-α gene expression via NF-κB activation in both healthy and RAO-affected horses, with a more pronounced effect in RAO-affected horses.…”