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Dexamethasone treatment does not inhibit fibroproliferation in chronic lung disease of prematurity

Depts of ¹ Immunology and ² Paediatrics, division of Neonatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, and ³ Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

CORRESPONDENCE: W.A. Dik, Dept of Immunology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Fax: 31 104089456. E-mail: w.dik@erasmusmc.nl

Keywords: bronchoalveolar lavage, chronic lung disease of prematurity, dexamethasone, fibroblast proliferation, platelet-derived growth factor

Received: August 1, 2002
Accepted December 10, 2002

This study was supported by a grant from the Sophia Foundation for Medical Research, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Pulmonary fibrosis results from excessive fibroblast proliferation and increased collagen deposition and occurs in chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is mitogenic for fibroblasts and levels are increased in fibrotic lung disorders. Systemic dexamethasone (DEX) treatment improves pulmonary function and reduces inflammation in infants with or at risk of CLD. However, the effect of DEX treatment on fibroblast activity, PDGF-BB and collagen synthesis in the lungs of CLD patients is uncertain.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, obtained from 15 infants at risk of CLD before and after DEX treatment, were analysed for fibroblast mitogenicity, PDGF-BB, N-terminal propeptide of collagen type III (PIIINP) and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels and inflammatory cell numbers.

After DEX treatment, the mitogenic activity of BAL fluid for fibroblasts was not reduced but increased. The change in mitogenicity correlated with a change in BAL fluid PDGF-BB levels. Furthermore, BAL fluid-induced fibroblast proliferation was blocked using an inhibitor of the PDGF receptor. DEX treatment did not influence PIIINP levels, but reduced IL-1ß levels and inflammatory cell numbers in BAL fluid.

This study suggests that dexamethasone treatment does not reduce fibroblast proliferation despite apparent downregulation of inflammation. The present findings do not support the use of dexamethasone for prevention of the fibrotic response in infants at risk of chronic lung disease of prematurity.

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