In:
Respiration, S. Karger AG, Vol. 67, No. 4 ( 2000), p. 397-401
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 It has been suggested that the humoral immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders (PF-CVD). Although circulating immune complexes in patients’ sera have been suggested, none of the antigens have been characterized. 〈 i 〉 Objectives: 〈 /i 〉 The purpose of this study is to characterize the antigen of the immune complexes in patients’ sera of pulmonary fibrosis. 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 As we previously established that one of the antibodies against A549 cells (lung alveolar type II cells) was anti-cytokeratin 8 (CK8), we confirmed the existence of anti-CK8 antibody in patients’ sera by Western immunoblot. In addition, we tried to demonstrate circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes in patients’ sera by Western immunoblot. Furthermore, we established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantitate CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 In patients with pulmonary fibrosis, anti-CK8 antibodies were clearly demonstrated in sera by Western immunoblot. In addition, circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes were also clearly demonstrated by Western immunoblot. It was possible to establish ELISA to quantitate CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes. If the cutoff value, which was determined based on the highest value of normal volunteers, was introduced, high CK8:anti-CK8 antibody complexes were demonstrated in 9 of 31 patients (29.0%) with IPF and PF-CVD. 〈 i 〉 Conclusions: 〈 /i 〉 This is the first study to clarify the antigen of the circulating immune complex in sera of patients with IPF. These results suggest that circulating CK8:anti-CK8 immune complexes may have played a role in the process of lung injury in pulmonary fibrosis.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0025-7931
,
1423-0356
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2000
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1464419-8
Permalink