Alterations of mononuclear inflammatory cells, CD4/CD8+ T cells, interleukin 1β, and tumour necrosis factor α in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, peripheral blood, and skin of patients with systemic sclerosis

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease with underlying immune mechanisms. Aims: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of the lesions; immunological alterations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), peripheral blood, and skin; and correlations between the clinicopathological characteristics and immunological alterations in SSc. Materials/Methods: Skin biopsies, BALF, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 19 patients (18 women, one man) with SSc and six age and sex matched healthy controls (HCs). Mononuclear inflammatory cells (MICs), CD4/CD8 cells, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interleukin 1β (IL1-1β) concentrations were examined in all samples using histological methods, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoperoxidase staining. Results: The mean (SD) age of the patients with SSc was 34.8 (2.6) years. Proteinuria, positive rheumatoid factor, and C reactive protein were seen in 15.8%, 26.3%, and 26.3% of patients, respectively. Compared with HCs, there were significantly higher: total MICs (macrophages, lymphocytes), neutrophils, and eosinophils in BALF, blood, and skin (all p