Elevated levels of MCP-1, MIP-α and MIP-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients with mustard gas-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Objective Role of chemokines in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) due to sulfur mustard (SM) gas inhalation. Patients 18 veterans with SM gas-induced PF, 15 patients with IPF and 18 normal as controls. Intervention Chest roentgenograms, PFTs, the percentage DLCO, high-resolution CT scans of the chest, and analyses of BAL fluids for chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β) were performed in all cases. Results There were significant differences in chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β) levels of BAL fluid between patients with PF and healthy controls ( p < 0.0006). MCP-1 and MIP-1α levels in BAL fluid correlate only with the percentage and the absolute number lymphocytes of the BAL fluid in patients with PF due to SM gas inhalation ( p = 0.0006/ p = 0.03; p = 0.04/ p = 0.02; respectively). The BAL fluid level of MIP-α in SM gas-induced PF was significantly correlated with the number of lymphocytes ( r = −0.56, p = 0.01), neutrophils ( r = −0.50, p = 0.03) and eosinophils ( r = −0.49, p = 0.03). A significant negative correlation was observed between the percentage of Dlco and MCP-1 and MIP-1α levels in BAL fluid in patients with PF ( r = −0.65, p = 0.003; r = −0.48, p = 0.04; respectively). Conclusion Neutrophils alveolitis, presence of eosinophils, and higher concentrations of interleukin MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β in BAL fluid are associated with the development of fibrosis in SM victims.