Serotoninergic receptors on human airway epithelial cells.

There is accumulating evidence that points to a role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) in the pathophysiology of asthma. Therefore, we analyzed the expression of serotoninergic receptors (5-HTR), its linkage to intracellular calcium homeostasis, and its influence on the production and secretion of IL-6, prostaglandin E(2), the CCL-Chemokine CCL5/Rantes, and the CXC-chemokines CXCL8/IL-8, CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP-10, and CXCL11/I-TAC in primary alveolar epithelial cells type II and the human lung cell lines A549 and BEAS-2B. Employing a PCR approach we were able to demonstrate mRNA expression of several 5-HTR, such as the heptahelical receptors 5-HTR1A, 5-HTR1B, 5-HTR1E, 5-HTR1F, 5-HTR2A, 5-HTR4, 5-HTR6, and 5-HTR7, as well as the ligand-gated ion channel 5-HTR3 in alveolar epithelial cells type II (AEC-II), A549, and BEAS-2B cells.

The P2Y14 receptor of airway epithelial cells: coupling to intracellular Ca2+ and IL-8 secretion.

Uridine nucleotides and UDP-glucose are endogenous molecules, which are released into the extracellular environment in a lytic manner after cell damage, as well as by regulated nonlytic mechanisms. Recently, a UDP-glucose-specific G(i) protein-coupled P2Y receptor, namely P2Y(14), has been cloned. In this study, we demonstrated expression of the P2Y(14) mRNA in human lung epithelial cells and in the epithelial cell lines A549 and BEAS-2B.

Systemic immune cell activation in a subgroup of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: The prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF/UIP) is poor and its immunopathogenesis is insufficiently understood.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to elucidate the compartmentalization of cell activation and the influence of corticosteroid therapy upon this activation in IPF/UIP. We determined the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines released by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) in treated and untreated patients with IPF/UIP.

Bronchoalveolar and serological parameters reflecting the severity of sarcoidosis.

The aim of the present study was to determine which bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serological parameters reflect the severity of newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis. Seventy-four previously untreated sarcoid patients were categorised into three groups: 10 patients with Löfgren's syndrome, 51 patients with stable disease and 13 patients with progressing disease requiring systemic steroid treatment. Total BALF cell count, percentage of alveolar lymphocytes and lymphocyte CD4/ CD8 ratio were not associated with severity of disease.