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Corticosteroid can alter antigen expression on alveolar macrophages
1Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, England, UK.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Corticosteroid Budesonide directly impacts alveolar macrophages, altering their immune cell markers. This suggests steroids may directly influence lung immune responses by modifying macrophage function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Alveolar macrophages are crucial for lung immune responses.
- Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat inflammatory lung diseases.
- Understanding the direct effects of corticosteroids on macrophages is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effects of Budesonide on human alveolar macrophage subsets.
- To determine if Budesonide alters the expression of specific macrophage surface antigens.
Main Methods:
- Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on healthy volunteers.
- Alveolar macrophages were cultured for 24 and 48 hours with or without Budesonide.
- Immunocytochemical analysis was used to assess the expression of RFD1, RFD7, CD68, Fc(IgG), and HLA-DR.
Main Results:
- Budesonide treatment decreased the proportion of RFD1+ (antigen-presenting) macrophages and increased RFD7+ (mature phagocyte) macrophages.
- These changes were specific, as Budesonide did not affect CD68 or Fc(IgG) receptor expression.
- HLA-DR expression was downregulated after 24 hours of Budesonide exposure.
Conclusions:
- Budesonide directly affects alveolar macrophage phenotype and antigen expression.
- These steroid-induced changes suggest a direct role for Budesonide in modulating lung immune responses via macrophage function.