Faculty Collaboration Database

Aspiration, localized pulmonary inflammation, and predictors of early-onset bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation. J Am Coll Surg 2013 Jul;217(1):90-100; discussion 100-1

Date

05/01/2013

Pubmed ID

23628225

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4135482

DOI

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2013.03.008

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84879554114 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   35 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that immune mediator concentrations in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) are predictive of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) and demonstrate specific patterns of dysregulation, depending on the presence of acute cellular rejection, BOS, aspiration, and timing of lung transplantation.

STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively collected 257 BALF samples from 105 lung transplant recipients. The BALF samples were assessed for absolute and differential white blood cell counts and 34 proteins implicated in pulmonary immunity, inflammation, fibrosis, and aspiration.

RESULTS: There were elevated BALF concentrations of interleukin (IL)-15, IL-17, basic fibroblast growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, and myeloperoxidase, and reduced concentrations of α1-antitrypsin, which were predictive of early-onset BOS. Patients with BOS had an increased percentage of BALF lymphocytes and neutrophils, with a reduced percentage of macrophages (p < 0.05). The BALF concentrations of IL-1β; IL-8; interferon-γ-induced protein 10; regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted; neutrophil elastase; and pepsin were higher in patients with BOS (p < 0.05). Among those with BOS, BALF concentrations of IL-1RA; IL-8; eotaxin; interferon-γ-induced protein 10; regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted; myeloperoxidase; and neutrophil elastase were positively correlated with time since transplantation (p < 0.01). Those with worse grades of acute cellular rejection had an increased percentage of lymphocytes in their BALF (p < 0.0001) and reduced BALF concentrations of IL-1β, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, and vascular endothelial growth factor (p ≤ 0.001). Patients with aspiration based on detectable pepsin had increased percentage of neutrophils (p < 0.001) and reduced BALF concentrations of IL-12 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The BALF levels of IL-15, IL-17, basic fibroblast growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, myeloperoxidase, and α1-antitrypsin at 6 to 12 months after lung transplantation are predictive of early-onset BOS, and those with BOS and aspiration have an augmented chemotactic and inflammatory balance of pulmonary leukocytes and immune mediators. These data justify the surgical prevention of aspiration and argue for the refinement of antirejection regimens.

Author List

Fisichella PM, Davis CS, Lowery E, Ramirez L, Gamelli RL, Kovacs EJ

Author

Christopher Stephen Davis MD, MPH Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Biomarkers
Bronchiolitis Obliterans
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Graft Rejection
Humans
Leukocyte Count
Logistic Models
Lung Transplantation
Macrophages
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications
Prospective Studies
Respiratory Aspiration
Syndrome