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Structural Features of Epithelial Remodeling in Usual Interstitial Pneumonia Histologic Pattern

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Abstract

Epithelial remodeling probably contributes to parenchymal deterioration in usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF), but understanding its mechanisms is still a challenge. The aim of our study was to examine apoptosis and the epithelial changes in the histologic pattern of UIP. After immunohistochemical staining we quantified the content of type I cells, type II cells, surfactant-A protein, bcl-2, and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) in control and alveolar collapse, fibroblastic foci, and honeycomb in UIP areas of 23 open lung biopsies. A significant association was found between epithelial changes and parenchymal deterioration (p < 0.05). Type I epithelial cell density was similar between control (1.7 ± 0.7%) and UIP alveolar collapse areas (1.8 ± 0.6%) but decreased progressively in fibroblastic foci zones (0.8 ± 0.4%) and honeycomb changes (0.4 ± 0.3%). Type II cell density increased from control (25.6 ± 8.3%) to areas of alveolar collapse (34.5 ± 11.4%), then decreased toward fibroblastic foci (15.4 ± 6.0%) and honeycomb change areas (23.1 ± 8.6%). The surfactant-A protein increased from control (6.7 ± 3.2%) to areas of alveolar collapse (31.1 ± 9.5%) and decreased toward fibroblastic foci (14.5 ± 4.9%) and honeycomb change areas (21.1 ± 8.9%). Fas-L positive epithelial cell density presented a progressive decline from control (48.5 ± 9.5%), alveolar collapse (37.9 ± 12.4%), fibroblastic foci (27.4 ± 6.8%), and honeycomb change areas (21.9 ± 6.5%). A similar decline in density was found for bcl-2 positive epithelial cells from control (20.4 ± 2.7%), alveolar collapse (18.9 ± 5.1%), and fibroblastic foci areas (13.8 ±2.9%), then increased honeycomb change areas (16.3 ± 2.8%). We conclude that loss of the nuclear (bcl-2) and membrane (Fas-L) regulation of normal cell population density and suppression of cell death by apoptosis in UIP may be a determinant of the abnormal epithelial/parenchymal remodeling in UIP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil

    Aline Lourenso Baptista, Edwin Roger Parra & Vera Luiza Capelozzi

  2. Pulmonary Division, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil

    João Valente Barbas Filho, Ronaldo Adib Kairalla & Carlos Roberto Ribeiro de Carvalho

  3. Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 01246-903, São Paulo, Brazil

    Vera Luiza Capelozzi

Authors
  1. Aline Lourenso Baptista
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  2. Edwin Roger Parra
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  3. João Valente Barbas Filho
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  4. Ronaldo Adib Kairalla
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  5. Carlos Roberto Ribeiro de Carvalho
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  6. Vera Luiza Capelozzi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vera Luiza Capelozzi.

Additional information

This study was supported by the following Brazilian agencies: the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq 300430/95-7); the Foundation for the Support of Research of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP 2000/14336-0, 2001/14566-9 and 2003/00162-9); and the Laboratories for Medical Research (LBM 05), Clinicas Hospital, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo.

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Baptista, A.L., Parra, E.R., Filho, J.V.B. et al. Structural Features of Epithelial Remodeling in Usual Interstitial Pneumonia Histologic Pattern. Lung 184, 239–244 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-005-2585-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-005-2585-9

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