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Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Murine Lungs to Analyze Inflammatory Cell Infiltration
Published on: May 4, 2017
Mass cytometry identifies characteristic immune cell subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from interstitial lung
Kentaro Hata1, Toyoshi Yanagihara1, Keisuke Matsubara2
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Insights
Immune cell differences in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) were explored. Specific monocyte, B cell, and T cell subsets were identified in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other ILDs, revealing diverse immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Immune cell involvement in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) is recognized, but their specific roles and characteristics are not fully understood.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), connective-tissue disease (CTD)-related ILD, and sarcoidosis represent distinct ILD phenotypes with potentially unique immune system interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize immune cell subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with IPF, CTD-ILD, and sarcoidosis.
- To identify distinct immune cell phenotypes associated with different ILD types and disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory mass cytometry analysis utilizing two panels with 64 markers.
- Analysis of immune cell populations including myeloid cells, B cells, and T cells in BALF samples.
Main Results:
- Expansion of CD14+ CD36hi CD84hi CCR2- monocytes observed in IPF, particularly in progressive ILDs and acute exacerbation (AEx) of IPF.
- Increased IgG memory B cells in CTD-ILDs and a trend toward more FCRL5+ B cells in AEx-IPF and advanced sarcoidosis.
- Distinct T cell subsets identified: IL-2R+ TIGIT+ LAG3+ CD4+ T cells in IPF, CXCR3+ CD226+ CD4+ T cells in sarcoidosis, and PD1+ TIGIT+ CD57+ CD8+ T cells in CTD-ILDs.
Conclusions:
- Immune cell profiles vary significantly across different interstitial lung diseases.
- Specific myeloid, B cell, and T cell subsets are associated with distinct ILD pathologies, suggesting diverse immunopathogenesis.
- These findings highlight the complex immune landscape of ILDs and provide targets for further research.
Abstract:
Immune cells have been implicated in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), although their phenotypes and effector mechanisms remain poorly understood. To better understand these cells, we conducted an exploratory mass cytometry analysis of immune cell subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), connective-tissue disease (CTD)-related ILD, and sarcoidosis, using two panels including 64 markers. Among myeloid cells, we observed the expansion of CD14+ CD36hi CD84hiCCR2- monocyte populations in IPF. These CD14+ CD36hi CD84hi CCR2- subsets were also increased in ILDs with a progressive phenotype, particularly in a case of acute exacerbation (AEx) of IPF. Analysis of B cells revealed the presence of cells at various stages of differentiation in BALF, with a higher percentage of IgG memory B cells in CTD-ILDs and a trend toward more FCRL5+ B cells. These FCRL5+ B cells were also present in the patient with AEx-IPF and sarcoidosis with advanced lung lesions. Among T cells, we found increased levels of IL-2R+ TIGIT+ LAG3+ CD4+ T cells in IPF, increased levels of CXCR3+ CD226+ CD4+ T cells in sarcoidosis, and increased levels of PD1+ TIGIT+ CD57+ CD8+ T cells in CTD-ILDs. Together, these findings underscore the diverse immunopathogenesis of ILDs.
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