Increases in CD4+ T lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and interleukin 8 positive cells in the airways of patients with bronchiectasis

Abstract

Background-Bronchiectasis is a chronic suppurative lung disease characterised by irreversible dilation of the bronchi and persistent purulent sputum. The immunopathology of the disease was studied using a quantitative immunostaining technique with particular reference to T lymphocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes. (Thorax 1998;53:685-691) Methods-Bronchial

Neutrophilic airway inflammation and IL‐17

“…The number of CD4+ lymphocytes is also increased in parallel with the number of neutrophils in the airways of patients with COPD (55,56) and exposure to cigarette smoke causes recruitment of neutrophils and CD4+ lymphocytes in rodent airways (57). A recent study shows an increased number of CD4+ lymphocytes and neutrophils in bronchial tissue from patients with bronchiectasis as well (58). There is also evidence that CD4+ lymphocytes have a functional impact; the presence of CD4+ lymphocytes is related to bronchial reactivity in murine and in human airways in vivo, but it is not known whether this phenomenon depends upon orchestration of eosinophils or neutrophils or both (59)(60)(61).…”

Does airway colonization cause systemic inflammation in bronchiectasis?

“…Previous studies have shown the presence of intense inflammatory activity characterized by neutrophils, T-cells and interleukin (IL)-8 positive cells and elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, leukotriene B4, endothelin 1, elestase in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples of bronchiectasis patients (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Recent evidence suggests the presence of systemic inflammation in chronic inflammatory airway diseases.…”

Neutrophils, interleukin-17A and lung disease

“…Furthermore, exposure to cigarette smoke causes accumulation of CD4+ lymphocytes and neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar space of guinea pigs in vivo [137]. There is also accumulation of CD4+ lymphocytes and neutrophils in airway tissue from patients with bronchiectasis [36]. The accumulation of CD4+ lymphocytes is even associated with functional changes in the lungs; the local presence of CD4+ lymphocytes is related to nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity in humans, mice and rats in vivo, even though it is not known whether this phenomenon is linked to the orchestration of neutrophils or eosinophils [129,130,[138][139][140].…”