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. 2003 May;58(5):425–430. doi: 10.1136/thorax.58.5.425

Increased concentrations of human ß-defensins in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis

T Hiratsuka 1, H Mukae 1, H Iiboshi 1, J Ashitani 1, K Nabeshima 1, T Minematsu 1, N Chino 1, T Ihi 1, S Kohno 1, M Nakazato 1
PMCID: PMC1746672  PMID: 12728165

Abstract

Methods: The concentrations of HBD-1 and HBD-2 in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from 33 patients with DPB and 30 normal adults were measured by radioimmunoassay. Localisation of HBD-2 was investigated immunohistochemically in an open lung biopsy specimen obtained from a patient with DPB.

Results: High concentrations of HBD-1 and HBD-2 were noted in BAL fluid from DPB patients. Increased plasma concentrations of HBD-2, but not HBD-1, were found in patients with DPB compared with control subjects. In patients with DPB the HBD-2 concentration in BAL fluid correlated significantly with the numbers of cells recovered from the BAL fluid (total cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes) and with the BAL fluid concentration of IL-1ß. Synthetic HBD-2, but not HBD-1, had dose dependent bactericidal activity against P aeruginosa. Treatment of 14 patients with macrolides significantly reduced BAL fluid concentrations of HBD-2 but not HBD-1 or plasma concentrations of HBD-1 and HBD-2. Immunohistochemistry of lung tissue showed localisation of HBD-2 in the epithelia of the distal bronchioles.

Conclusions: These results indicate that ß-defensins, particularly HBD-2, participate in antimicrobial defence in the respiratory tract in DPB, and that the BAL fluid concentration of HBD-2 may be a useful marker of airway inflammation in patients with DPB.

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Selected References

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