Bronchoalveolar Lavage in the Normal Volunteer Subject

Surfactant protein B (SP-B) is an essential component of surfactant that promotes adsorption and spreading of surfactant phospholipids and stabilizes the phospholipid monolayer. SP-B is essential for respiratory function in newborn humans and mice; adult mice with levels of SP-B below 25% of wild-type develop fatal respiratory distress syndrome. A potential regulatory function of the C/A(−18) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter of the SP-B gene was examined. Transcriptional analysis and ELISA on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed that the presence of the C allele correlated with more SP-B promoter activity and protein. There was approximately threefold difference in amounts of SP-B in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from CA(−18) and AA(−18) individuals. By EMSA, Sp1 bound more tightly to the C allele sequence than to the A allele sequence, perhaps accounting for the differences in transcription. Genotyping of a normal volunteer population showed ∼31% of the population were AA homozygotes, suggesting that these individuals produce less SP-B. Differences in amounts of SP-B resulting from the promoter SNP could affect the clinical presentation of pulmonary disease.

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Comparative morphology of Pneumocystis Carinii in Situ and after bronchoalveolar lavage

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100142840 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 244-245

Author(s):

C. A. Itatani ◽

A. Hing ◽

W. Jackson ◽

G.J. Marshall

Keyword(s):

Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽

Pneumocystis Carinii ◽

Comparative Morphology

Pneumocystis carinii (PC) is an organism capable of causing fatal pneumonia in immune suppressed individuals and has recently gained prominence because of its association with AIDS. A similar organism occurs in rats and infection may be induced with cortisone injections. In order to isolate PC for further study bronchoal veol ar lavage (BAL) was performed. Differences in the ul trastructure of BAL-obtained organisms and PC in situ were observed and are herein reported.

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Sequential degranulation of eosinophils induced by antigen or autocoids in allergic humans

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100143390 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 354-355

Author(s):

Kate W. Sjoerdsma ◽

W. James Metzger

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Skin Test ◽

Positive Skin Test ◽

Positive Skin ◽

Human Eosinophil ◽

Asthmatic Patients ◽

Allergic Asthmatic ◽

History Of

Eosinophils are important to the pathogenesis of allergic asthma, and are increased in bronchoalveolar lavage within four hours after bronchoprovocation of allergic asthmatic patients, and remain significantly increased up to 24 hours later. While the components of human eosinophil granules have been recently isolated and purified, the mechanisms of degranulation have yet to be elucidated.We obtained blood from two volunteers who had a history of allergic rhinitis and asthma and a positive skin test (5x5mm wheal) to Alternaria and Ragweed. Eosinophils were obtained using a modification of the method described by Roberts and Gallin.

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An integrated screening method for evaluating the pulmonary toxicity of inhaled particulates: Role of microscopic techniques in assessing pulmonary macrophage clearance functions

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100161692 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 826-827

Author(s):

David B. Warheit ◽

Lena Achinko ◽

Mark A. Hartsky

Keyword(s):

Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽

Pulmonary Toxicity ◽

Screening Method ◽

Pulmonary Response ◽

Inhaled Particles ◽

Cytochemical Analysis ◽

Pulmonary Macrophages ◽

Integrated Screening

There is a great need for the development of a rapid and reliable bioassay to evaluate the pulmonary toxicity of inhaled particles. A number of methods have been proposed, including lung clearance studies, bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, and in vitro cytotoxicity tests. These methods are often limited in scope inasmuch as they measure only one dimension of the pulmonary response to inhaled, instilled or incubated dusts. Accordingly, a comprehensive approach to lung toxicity studies has been developed.To validate the method, rats were exposed for 6 hours or 3 days to various concentrations of either aerosolized alpha quartz silica (Si) or carbonyl iron (CI) particles. Cells and fluids from groups of sham and dust-exposed animals were recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Alkaline phosphatase, LDH and protein values were measured in BAL fluids at several time points postexposure. Cells were counted and evaluated for viability, as well as differential and cytochemical analysis. In addition, pulmonary macrophages (PM) were cultured and studied for morphology, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis by scanning electron microscopy.

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