Serum antibody against granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and KL-6 in idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Tohoku J Exp Med. 2006 Apr;208(4):349-54. doi: 10.1620/tjem.208.349.

Abstract

Here we describe a case of idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (I-PAP), in which anti-granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibody and high level of KL-6 were found in the serum. Anti-GM-CSF antibody is responsible for I-PAP, and KL-6 is a serum marker for the activity of diffuse interstitial lung disease. A 38-year-old woman, who had no symptoms, was found to have an abnormal shadow on chest radiograph 5 years previously at a health check up. Chest radiograph showed a patchy shadow in the left lower lung field. Thoracoscopic biopsy was performed because the shadow had gradually expanded during the 5 years. Histological examination revealed proteinous material filling the alveoli and positive staining by the PAS method, suggesting PAP. Anti-GM-CSF antibody and a high level of KL-6 were detected in the serum at the time of diagnosis. Three years later, the shadow disappeared spontaneously. During this period, the level of KL-6 dramatically decreased, although that of GM-CSF antibody remained unchanged. The present case suggests that the serum level of the anti-GM-CSF antibody represents a useful marker for the diagnosis but not for follow-up of the clinical course. On the contrary, KL-6 is an excellent marker for the assessment of the clinical course of I-PAP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / immunology*
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mucin-1
  • Mucins / immunology*
  • Mucins / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / immunology*
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / pathology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Thoracoscopy

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • MUC1 protein, human
  • Mucin-1
  • Mucins
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor