Nathani, Nazim, Perkins, Gavin D., Tunnicliffe, William, Murphy, Nick, Manji, Mav and Thickett, David R. (2008) Kerbs von Lungren 6 antigen is a marker of alveolar inflammation but not of infection in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Critical Care (Print) , Vol.12 (No.1). R12. doi:10.1186/cc6785

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Abstract

Background
Kerbs von Lungren 6 antigen (KL-6) is expressed on the surface of alveolar type II cells, and elevated plasma and epithelial lining fluid levels of KL-6 have previously been shown to correlate with the severity of disease and survival in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The relationship between alveolar inflammation and KL-6 measurements has not been ascertained. We hypothesized that the elevation of KL-6 in ARDS is dependent upon the severity of neutrophilic inflammation. Furthermore we were interested in the relationship between significant alveolar infection and KL-6 levels.

Methods
Plasma arterial samples were collected from ARDS patients on day 1 and when possible on day 4 along with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples on the same day. Bacterial growth in the BALF was determined by quantitative cultures and was defined as significant at counts >1 × 104 colony-forming units.

Results
Plasma KL-6 levels in ARDS patients were elevated compared with at-risk control individuals (P = 0.014) and with normal control individuals (P = 0.02). The plasma KL-6 level correlated with the Murray Lung Injury Score (r = 0.68, P = 0.001) and with BALF KL-6 (r = 0.3260, P = 0.04). The BALF KL-6 level was detectable in all ARDS cases and was lower on both day 0 and day 4 in those who survived. BALF KL-6 also correlated with the BALF myeloperoxidase activity (r = 0.363, P = 0.027), with the BALF cell count per millilitre (r = 0.318, P = 0.038), with BALF epithelial-cell-derived neutrophil attractant 78; (r = 0.37, P = 0.016) and with BALF vascular endothelial growth factor (r = 0.35, P = 0.024). The BALF KL-6 level of ARDS patients with significant pathogenic bacterial growth was similar compared with those without significant infection.

Conclusion
KL-6 may represent a useful marker of alveolar type II cell dysfunction in ARDS since the levels reflect the severity of lung injury and neutrophilic inflammation. KL-6 release across the alveolar epithelial barrier is associated with a poor prognosis. The pathophysiological roles of KL-6 in the development of ARDS warrant further study.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Respiratory distress syndrome, Adult -- Pathology, Lungs -- Wounds and injuries, Epithelial cells, Antigens, Blood plasma
Journal or Publication Title:	Critical Care (Print)
Publisher:	Current Science Inc.
ISSN:	1364-8535
Official Date:	2008
Dates:	Date Event 2008 Published
Volume:	Vol.12
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	R12
DOI:	10.1186/cc6785
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Great Britain. Dept. of Health (DoH), National Institute for Health Research (Great Britain) (NIHR), Wellcome Trust (London, England), UHB charities

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