EXPRESSION OF LA-LIKE (DR) ANTIGEN ON HUMAN ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES ISOLATED BY BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE

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Abstract
Alveolar macrophages isolated by bronchoalveolar lavage from nonsmoking patients with sarcoidosis, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (DIF) and normal volunteers were examined for surface expression of Ia-like (DR) antigen using a monoclonal antibody technique. Increased percentages of alveolar macrophages expressing DR antigen were found in the 8 patients with sarcoidosis (77 .+-. 3%) and the 7 patients with DIF (78 .+-. 3%) over that in the 9 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (21 .+-. 5%, P < 0.05). Four patients, 2 with DIF and 2 with sarcoidosis, were studied before and 3 mo. after initiation of therapy. A decrease in DR antigen expression was associated with clinical improvement. Alveolar macrophages from 3 patients were studied serially in culture, with a steady decrease in DR antigen expression with time. Alveolar macrophages from patients with sarcoidosis and DIF are in a state of heightened activity. DR antigen expression may be an indicator at disease activity.