Increased production and immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-beta in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) can regulate cell growth and differentiation as well as production of extracellular matrix proteins. Elevated production of TGF-beta has been associated with human and rodent chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Using immunohistochemical staining, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology Vol. 5; no. 2; p. 155
Main Authors:	Khalil, N, O'Connor, R N, Unruh, H W, Warren, P W, Flanders, K C, Kemp, A, Bereznay, O H, Greenberg, A H
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-08-1991
Subjects:	Biopsy Humans Immunohistochemistry Pulmonary Fibrosis - metabolism Pulmonary Fibrosis - pathology Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism
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Summary:	Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) can regulate cell growth and differentiation as well as production of extracellular matrix proteins. Elevated production of TGF-beta has been associated with human and rodent chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Using immunohistochemical staining, we have examined lung sections of patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis and demonstrated a marked and consistent increase in TGF-beta production in epithelial cells and macrophages when compared to patients with nonspecific inflammation and those with no inflammation or fibrosis. In patients with advanced IPF, intracellular staining with anti-LC (1-30) TGF-beta antibody was seen prominently in bronchiolar epithelial cells. In addition, epithelial cells of honeycomb cysts and hyperplastic type II pneumocytes stained intensely. Anti-CC (1-30) TGF-beta antibody, which reacts with extracellular TGF-beta, was localized in the lamina propria of bronchioles and in subepithelial regions of honeycomb cysts in areas of dense fibroconnective tissue deposition. The close association of subepithelial TGF-beta to the intracellular form in advanced IPF suggests that TGF-beta was produced and secreted primarily by epithelial cells. Because of the well-known effects of TGF-beta on extracellular matrix formation and on epithelial cell differentiation, the increased production of TGF-beta in advanced IPF may be pathogenic to the pulmonary fibrotic and regenerative responses seen in this disease.
ISSN:	1044-1549
DOI:	10.1165/ajrcmb/5.2.155