Increased Bronchoalveolar IgG-Secreting Cells in Interstitial Lung Diseases

Abstract

The interstitial lung diseases are a heterogenous group of disorders largely of unknown cause, characterized by interstitial inflammatory-cell infiltration and resultant pulmonary fibrosis.1 An immunologic basis for these diseases has been suggested by the frequent association of autoimmune phenomena1 and the finding of increased inflammatory cells and proteins, particularly immunoglobulins,2 3 in the bronchoalveolar-lavage fluids of such patients.We have previously described a reverse hemolytic plaque assay4 that measures cells actively secreting class-specific immunoglobulin, and the use of this technique to define immunoglobulin-secretory function in normal lungs. By this means, cells actively secreting immunoglobulin have been identified as normal residents of . . .