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 . . .