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Alveolar macrophage dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|August 1, 1987
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients show impaired alveolar macrophage (AM) antibacterial activity, increasing lung infection risk. This defect, seen in both treated and untreated patients, is linked to SLE serum effects on AMs.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with a high incidence of pulmonary infections.
- Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical for lung bacterial defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibacterial activity and superoxide anion generation of AMs in SLE patients.
- To determine if AM dysfunction contributes to increased pulmonary infection susceptibility in SLE.
Main Methods:
- Compared antibacterial activity and superoxide anion generation of AMs from 17 SLE patients and 8 controls.
- Assessed AMs' response to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
- Evaluated AMs' chemiluminescence response after stimulation.
- Incubated normal AMs with SLE serum versus normal serum.
Main Results:
- AM antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli was significantly reduced in both untreated and corticosteroid-treated SLE patients.
- No significant differences were found in total cell count, viability, or chemiluminescence response.
- SLE serum significantly reduced the antibacterial activity of normal AMs compared to normal serum.
Conclusions:
- Alveolar macrophage antibacterial dysfunction is a potential factor contributing to the heightened risk of lung infections in SLE patients.
- The observed AM defect may be influenced by factors present in SLE serum.