Clinical Significance of Plasma TGF-Î²1 in Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis

Kim, Chong Ju; Lee, Won Yeon; Hong, Ae Ra; Shin, Pyo Jin; Yong, Suk Joong; Shin, Kye Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a fibrotic lung disease resulting from chronic inhalation of coal dust. The precise mechanism of lung fibrosis in coal workers' pneumoconiosis is uncertain. However, a relationship between the stimulation of fibroblast proliferation and collagen production by mediators released from inflammatory and resident lung cells is thought to be a major factor. The transforming growth factor-Î²(TGF-Î²), a multifunctional cytokine and growth factor, plays a key role in the scarring and fibrotic processes due to its ability to induce extracellular matrix proteins and modulate the growth and immune function of many cell types. To determine the involvement of TGF-Î²in the development of lung fibrosis in coal workers' pneumoconiosis, the TGF-Î²1 level in plasma was measured in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis.
METHODS
Plasma was collected from 40 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (20 with simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 20 with complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis) and from 10 normal controls. The ELISA method was used to measure the plasma TGF-Î²1 concentration.
RESULTS
Compared to the control group (0.63±0.18 ng/mL), there was no significant difference in the plasma TGF-Î²1 level in patients with simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis (0.64±0.17 ng/mL) (p>.05). However, in patients with complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis the plasma TGF-Î²1 level (0.79±0.18 ng/mL) was significantly higher than in patients with simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis and control group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The data suggests that TGF-Î²1 has some influence in the development of lung fibrosis in coal workers' pneumoconiosis.