Relationship between IL-8, IL-10, MMP-9 level and morphological pattern of BAL fluid

There is an increasing evidence that imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors such as cytokines and proteases is able to direct course of inflammatory lung diseases. Possible relations between proinflammatory interleukin (IL) - 8 and proangiogenic metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as antiinflammatory interleukin-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) of pulmonary sarcoidosis (BBS) (n=18), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (n=10) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) (n=9) patients were examined. IL-8, IL-10 and MMP-9 concentrations in BAL supernatants were determined using ELISA test. A strong correlation (p<0.01) between concentration of IL-8 and MMP-9 in BALf of studied groups was found. Moreover, in IPF group the level of MMP-9 strongly correlated (p<0.01) with IL-10 as well as negatively with relative count of macrophages (p<0.05); while the relative count of neutrophils positively correlated with IL-10 (p<0.01) as well as MMP-9 (p<0.01). In BBS stage I group negative correlation between level of IL-10 and macrophages relative count (p<0.05) as well as positive correlation between IL-10 and lymphocytes relative count (p<0.05) was present. Activity of MMPs and their close relationship with proinflammatory and antiinflammatory factors such IL-8 and IL-10 suggest the contribution of angiogenesis in pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease. Further studies should reveal more data concerning the possible therapeutic approach involving both antiinflammatory and antiangiogenic activities.