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Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS
Published on: January 7, 2016
BALF-derived fibroblasts differ from biopsy-derived fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis
A Scheja1, K Larsen, L Todorova
1Dept of Rheumatology, Lund University Hospital, S-221 85 Lund, Sweden. Agneta.Scheja@med.lu.se
The European Respiratory Journal
|November 17, 2006
Summary
Fibroblasts grew from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with alveolitis, especially those with high eosinophils. This suggests eosinophil-fibroblast interactions may contribute to lung fibrosis in SSc.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Fibroblast growth from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is known.
- Pulmonary fibrosis is a significant complication of SSc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize BALF and bronchial biopsy fibroblasts from SSc patients with alveolitis and controls.
- To analyze fibroblast proliferation, migration, stress fibers, and proteoglycan production.
Main Methods:
- Collected BALF and bronchial biopsies from 10 SSc patients with alveolitis and 15 controls.
- Cultured fibroblasts from BALF and biopsies.
- Analyzed fibroblast phenotype, migration, and proteoglycan production.
- Measured granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels.
Main Results:
- Fibroblast outgrowth observed from BALF of 4 SSc patients, not controls.
- Outgrowth correlated with increased BALF eosinophils.
- BALF fibroblasts exhibited an elongated, mobile phenotype and increased proteoglycan production compared to biopsy fibroblasts.
- Elevated GM-CSF levels correlated with BALF eosinophil percentage in SSc patients.
Conclusions:
- Fibroblast outgrowth with an altered phenotype occurs in BALF of SSc patients with alveolitis and increased BALF eosinophils.
- Eosinophil-fibroblast interactions may play a role in SSc-associated pulmonary fibrosis.
- GM-CSF may be involved in this interaction.
