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Adhesion molecule expression on eosinophils in idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokushima University, Japan.
The European Respiratory Journal
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia (IEP) involves eosinophil buildup in the lungs. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on lung eosinophils, induced by T-cells, may drive IEP pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia (IEP) is defined by eosinophil accumulation in lung alveoli and interstitium, often with peripheral eosinophilia.
- The precise mechanisms driving eosinophil recruitment and activation in IEP remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of eosinophil adhesion molecule expression in the pathogenesis of idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia.
- To compare adhesion molecule expression on eosinophils and T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood versus bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from IEP patients.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression of adhesion molecules (CD11a, CD11b, CD18, CD49d, CD62L, CD54) on eosinophils and T-lymphocytes.
- Samples were obtained from peripheral blood and BALF of 11 patients diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia.
Main Results:
- BALF analysis revealed increased eosinophils, correlating with elevated activated T-lymphocytes.
- Eosinophils in BALF showed decreased expression of LFA-1, Mac-1, CD18, VLA-4, and L-selectin compared to peripheral blood eosinophils.
- Notably, eosinophils in BALF exhibited increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which was absent in peripheral blood eosinophils.
Conclusions:
- ICAM-1 expression on eosinophils within the lung, but not in peripheral blood, may be induced by local T-cell or macrophage activation.
- This localized ICAM-1 expression is suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia.
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