lactoferrin and Sarcoidosis

Diagnosis of a dry eye is facilitated by prompt recognition of pertinent signs and symptoms and by utilisation of those office and laboratory procedures which help to confirm the diagnosis. Prior knowledge of those systemic diseases associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) alert the practitioner to a possible dry eye state. Conversely, a diagnosis of KCS may prompt recognition of a hitherto unsuspected systemic disease. In this review, I will discuss the signs and symptoms of KCS, its association with various systemic conditions, as well as the tests and procedures that contribute to its diagnosis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blepharitis; Child; Cornea; Dysautonomia, Familial; Epithelium; Erythema Multiforme; Humans; Keratoconjunctivitis; Lactoferrin; Muramidase; Osmolar Concentration; Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane; Rose Bengal; Sarcoidosis; Sjogren's Syndrome; Tears

Topics: Anaphylaxis; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Asthma; Complement System Proteins; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Interferons; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes; Lung; Macrophages; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Reagins; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Sarcoidosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

The levels of immunoglobulins and other proteins (alpha 2-MG, alpha 1-AT, C3, albumin, transferrin and lactoferrin) were studied in the BAL of 60 patients with different types of pulmonary tuberculosis, 4 patients with sarcoidosis and 7 CNPD patients. The level of most proteins in BAL of the examinees was higher than that reported for healthy subjects. The highest protein levels were noted in CNPD and sarcoidosis patients. The diagnostic importance of the level of alpha 2-MG was established for sarcoidosis. 27 paired BAL-serum specimens from the same patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were investigated for analysis of the mechanisms of protein appearance in BAL. The protein/albumin ratio for most proteins was higher in BAL than in the respective serum. A relatively high level of proteins in the patients' BAL was probably determined by the activation of their local synthesis.

Topics: Albumins; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; alpha-Macroglobulins; Blood Proteins; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Proteins; Sarcoidosis; Serum Albumin; Transferrin; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Chemotactic and chemokinetic activity was studied in sera from 57 patients with various stages of sarcoidosis. Reduced chemotactic activity was observed in 39% of the sera, mainly in sera from patients with parenchymal densities on chest radiographs. Increased chemokinetic activity was noted in more than one third of the fresh sarcoid sera. Asymptomatic patients showed higher chemokinetic activity in their sera than patients with symptoms. The presence of heat-stable chemokinetic inhibitors was suggested in one third of the cases. No relationship was found between these inhibitors and the inhibitors of neutrophil phagocytosis previously demonstrated in sarcoid sera. Although many of the findings show minor differences to those of normal sera, the liability in sarcoidosis to produce a variety of inhibitors directed against various functions of neutrophils would theoretically hamper the elimination of putative antigens. The presence of serum mediated stimulation and inhibition of neutrophil locomotion could be significant for the pathogenesis of the disease.

Topics: Aminopeptidases; Cell Migration Inhibition; Cell Movement; Chemotactic Factors; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Complement C3; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Orosomucoid; Phagocytosis; Sarcoidosis

The present study was carried out to compare radiological and physiological changes in sarcoidosis with biochemical markers for inflammatory cell populations. Of 53 patients with sarcoidosis, 28 had respiratory symptoms and 30 past or present bilateral hilar adenopathy without symptoms. A clinical score based on lung function tests and radiological findings correlated well with elevations of lysozyme and beta2-microglobulin in serum, indicating increased inflammatory cell activity in patients with more severe lung affection. A covariation between beta2-microglobulin and lysozyme was found, suggesting concomitant activation of macrophages and lymphocytes in sarcoidosis. Serum levels of lactoferrin were elevated in patients with a disease of short duration but did not correlate with the severity of the lung affection. The closing volume also seems to be abnormal in the early course of the disease, while elevated lysozyme and beta2-microglobulin levels rather seem to reflect the extent of the pulmonary affection.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta 2-Microglobulin; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Radiography; Respiratory Function Tests; Sarcoidosis

During the active phase of chronic recurrent parotitis there is a marked elevation in the parotid concentration of lactoferrin (Lf), and iron-binding glycoprotein with antibacterial properties. The Lf concentration decreases during the recovery period, but still remains above normal levels. The changes of Lf in parotitis parallel recent findings in mastitis and pancreatitis. Elevations in Lf were also noted in five of six subjects with Sjögren's disease, but not in subjects with sarcoidosis, diabetes or "dry mouth" without sialographic changes. The source of the Lf has not been determined; it could arise in part from disrupting polymorphonuclear leucocytes and in part from epithelial cells that synthesize Lf in the salivary glands. Inflammatory stimulation of Lf synthesis would suggest a basic protective mechanism in exocrine glands and should be fully explored.

Topics: Albumins; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Parotitis; Recurrence; Saliva; Sarcoidosis; Secretory Rate; Sjogren's Syndrome; Xerostomia