RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Expression of tumour necrosis factor receptors by bronchoalveolar cells in hypersensitivity pneumonitis JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1039 OP 1043 DO 10.1183/09031936.05.00084704 VO 25 IS 6 A1 B. Chen A1 Z. Tong A1 Q. Ye A1 S. Nakamura A1 U. Costabel A1 J. Guzman YR 2005 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/25/6/1039.abstract AB Tumour necrosis factor receptors (TNFR) and the Fas receptor (FasR) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases. The current authors examined the expression of TNFR-1, TNFR-2 and FasR by bronchoalveolar cells in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Cell surface receptor expression on bronchoalveolar lavage cells was analysed by immunocytochemistry in 11 HP patients, 11 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and 10 controls. TNFR-1, TNFR-2 and FasR were expressed on a higher percentage of alveolar macrophages (AM) in HP compared with controls and IPF patients. TNFR-2 and FasR expression on lymphocytes was also higher in HP than in controls and in IPF. TNFR-1, TNFR-2 and FasR expression correlated positively with the percentage of lymphocytes, and negatively with the percentage of AM in HP. Expression of TNFR-1 on AM and TNFR-2 on lymphocytes correlated with the percentage of neutrophils in HP. In conclusion, this study shows evidence of altered expression of tumour necrosis factor superfamily receptors in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.