Biomarkers for PLCH are a possibility

Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry processes have helped to shed light on bronchoalveolar lavage in Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH).

In a report published by the Journal of Clinical Bioinformatics, scientists from institutions across Europe noted that PLCH, a rare interstitial lung disease characterised by clusters of Langerhans cells in the walls of distal bronchioles, is known to be related to smoking tobacco, but other than that its causes and development are a mystery.

The team used two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry processes on BAL protein obtained from patients with PLCH, from otherwise healthy smokers and from non-smokers.

They found numerous proteolytic fragments of plasma proteins, including a number which have never previously been linked with the disease, which suggests increased proteolytic activity in this inflammatory lung disease.

Proteins identified in the study provide useful information with regard to the research of pathogenetic mechanisms, as well as for identifying biomarkers for the disease.

Posted by Ben Evans