PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Barth, J
AU  - Kreipe, H
AU  - Radzun, H J
AU  - Heidorn, K
AU  - Petermann, W
AU  - Bewig, B
AU  - Parwaresch, M R
TI  - Increased expression of growth factor genes for macrophages and fibroblasts in bronchoalveolar lavage cells of a patient with pulmonary histiocytosis X.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.46.11.835
DP  - 1991 Nov 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 835--838
VI  - 46
IP  - 11
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/46/11/835.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/46/11/835.full
SO  - Thorax1991 Nov 01; 46
AB  - Pulmonary histiocytosis X is the local manifestation of a systemic disorder of unknown cause characterised by infiltration of Langerhans cell like histiocytes and parenchymal fibrosis. In a male smoker with histologically proved histiocytosis X and functional impairment bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increase in CD-1/OKT-6 antigen positive histiocytes to 8%. Northern blot analysis of RNA from bronchoalveolar lavage cells showed an exaggerated expression of the M-CSF gene and of the c-fms gene encoding for the corresponding receptor. An increased level of c-sis RNA, which encodes the B chain of platelet derived growth factor, was also found. Diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates on the chest radiograph resolved with glucocorticoid treatment and CD-1/OKT-6 antigen positive histiocytes fell to 3%. Macrophage colony stimulating factor, c-fms and c-sis gene expression were reduced almost to normal after treatment. The results suggest that macrophage colony stimulating factor and platelet derived growth factor may have a role in the initiation or maintenance of pathological reactions in pulmonary histiocytosis X.