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Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Murine Lungs to Analyze Inflammatory Cell Infiltration
Published on: May 4, 2017
Effect of exogenous surfactant on Paediatric Bronchoalveolar lavage derived macrophages' cytokine secretion
Lyné van Rensburg1, Johann M van Zyl2, Johan Smith3
1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, 8000; Francie van Zijl Drive, Cape Town, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa.
Insights
Exogenous surfactant treatment may reduce airway inflammation in children. This study found lower inflammatory cytokines and increased IL-10 and IL-12 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after surfactant exposure in healthy South African children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cellular Immunology
Background:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a key bronchoscopy tool, but data from healthy children are scarce.
- Limited research exists on the anti-inflammatory impact of exogenous pulmonary surfactants on BAL cellular components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of exogenous surfactants on BAL fluid.
- To analyze alveolar macrophages and cytokine/chemokine levels in healthy South African children.
Main Methods:
- Diagnostic bronchoscopy and BAL performed on 30 children (3-14 years).
- Differential cytology and cytokine/chemokine measurements conducted post-exogenous surfactant exposure.
- Focus on healthy South African children.
Main Results:
- Alveolar macrophages were the primary cell type in healthy children's BAL.
- BAL fluid from inflamed lungs showed significantly higher neutrophil counts.
- Exogenous surfactant exposure reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and increased IL-10 and IL-12 secretion.
Conclusions:
- First BAL data presented for healthy South African children.
- Pulmonary inflammation in children is associated with neutrophilia.
- Exogenous surfactant therapy shows potential for reducing tracheobronchial inflammation.
Background:
Bronchoalveolar lavage is a useful bronchoscopy technique. However, studies in "normal" children populations are few. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of exogenous pulmonary surfactants on the bronchoalveolar cellular components are limited.
Methods:
Thirty children, aged 3 to 14 years, underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. Differential cytology, cytokine and chemokine measurements were performed on the fluid after exogenous surfactant exposure. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of exogenous surfactants on the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, specifically alveolar macrophages of healthy South African children.
Results:
Alveolar macrophages were the predominant cellular population in normal children. Patients with inflammatory pneumonopathies had significantly more neutrophils. Levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower after exogenous surfactant exposure. Moreover, IL-10 and IL-12 cytokine secretion increased after exogenous surfactant exposure.
Conclusion:
This study provides the first data on bronchoalveolar lavage of healthy South African children. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with pulmonary inflammation was characterised by neutrophilia. Finally, we propose that exogenous surfactant treatment could help alleviate inflammation in diseased states where it occurs in the tracheobronchial tree.
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