engleski

Evaluation of alveolitis by expression of CD38 antigen on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) T cells in sarcoidosis

Although usually considered as marker of immune activation and/or immaturity, so far, however, the function of CD38 molecule has not been elucidated. The aim of our study was to investigate the connection between CD38 expression and alveolitis activity. The study population consisted of 22 patients with biopsy proven pulmonary sarcoidosis classified into active (SA=N=11)and inactive(SI=11) groups. CD38 expression was determined by immunophenotypic analysis of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in BAL and peripheral blood (PB) costained with anti-CD38 mAb (Leu17). In SA higher absolute CD38 cell values were observed (0.41+/-0.27) comparing to SI (0.24+/-0.36). In sarcoidosis, especially in SA, activation is subset specific: CD38 is expressed on greater percentage on CD4 lymphocytes. A striking finding was a higher fluorescence density (MFI=107+/-12)in SA comparing to SI (MFI=76+/-6). This phenomenon is regarded as a sign of early activation. As SA-BAL cells expresss the CD38-pattern as PB lymphocytes from healthy persons(MFI=125+/-8, N=20), probably in the early phase of inflammation an intensive recruitment of CD38 cells from PB occurs. We assume that in sarcoidosis alveolitis compartmentalization CD38 antigen may play a relevant role and can serve as an indicator of disease activity.

CD38; BAL; alveolitis; sarcoidosis; flow cytometry

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