The motility of lung lymphocytes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis.

Abstract

Lymphocytes obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) are believed to be derived from interstitial inflammatory lesions of the lung in which lymphocytes have migrated from the blood. Because cellular motility is one of the important factors in lymphocyte migration, we investigated the motility of BAL lymphocytes from 12 patients with HP and 12 with PS, as well as their responsiveness to chemoattractants in vitro by modified Boyden chamber method. Motility was evaluated by the number of migrated cells and the migration distance. The numbers of migrated BAL lymphocytes from patients with HP and PS in albumin-containing medium were 318.3 +/- 93.0 (mean +/- SD) and 207.6 +/- 35.5, respectively, and were greater than those of BAL lymphocytes from normal control subjects (133.3 +/- 40.9) and blood lymphocytes, and comparable with those of mitogen-activated blood lymphocytes. The motility of BAL lymphocytes in these diseases compared with blood lymphocytes was also increased in protein-free medium. In addition, the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages (AM) enhanced the motility of BAL, mitogen-activated, and blood lymphocytes. These results suggest that BAL lymphocytes in these diseases are functionally motile, and their enhanced motility, as well as mediators from AM, may facilitate the accumulation of lymphocytes at the epithelial surface.

Induced sputum in interstitial lung diseases

“…The accumulation of CD4 T lymphocytes in sputum is supported by the data showing traffic between the bronchoalveolar space to the bronchial lamina propria. In cases of sarcoidosis, these lymphocytes showed an increased motility which might conceivably facilitate their accumulation in the epithelium [26], producing epithelioid granulomatosis [27]. All these findings supported the use of induced sputum secretions, retrieved mainly from mucus clearance of central airways, in diagnosing diseases of peripheral airways and alveolar spaces.…”

Induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis

“…12 Although the dynamics of lymphocytes in the lung has not yet been fully established, 32 they could accumulate by active recruitment and selection, by local accumulation or as the consequence of decreased apoptosis. It is noteworthy that in patients with HP, lymphocytes from BAL showed an increased motility 33 and an upregulation of alpha E beta 7 integrin expression that contributes to their selective accumulation. 34 They may undergo an oligoclonal expansion, 35 and show a prolonged survival due to decreased apoptosis.…”

Induced Sputum in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Sarcoidosis

“…16 In patients with sarcoidosis, lymphocytes from the lungs showed an increased motility, which might conceivably facilitate their accumulation in the epithelium. 23 Also, the bronchial mucosa is often involved, whether or not endobronchial nodules are present. Thus, the bronchi may be a potential source of sputum lymphocytes.…”