SURFACTANT APOPROTEIN IN NONMALIGNANT PULMONARY DISORDERS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 101  (1) , 51-61
Abstract
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human lungs exhibiting a variety of nonmalignant disorders were studied by immunoperoxidase staining using antibodies specific for surfactant apoprotein, IgG, IgM, IgA, albumin, fibrinogen and lysozyme. Normal type II pneumocytes showed staining for surfactant apoprotein in the perinuclear region only. The extent and intensity of staining for apoprotein was markedly increased in reactive type II pneumocytes. This increase appeared to be a nonspecific reaction to lung injury. The intraalveolar material in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis stained intensely for surfactant apoprotein, indicating that the accumulated proteinaceous material contained pulmonary surfactant. Type II pneumocytes in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis exhibited hyperplasia and hypertrophy. The few macrophages in lung affected by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis stained intensely for lysozyme. The excessive intraalveolar accumulation of proteinaceous material in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis may be due to an overproduction and a deficient removal of pulmonary surfactant.