Proliferation of alveolar macrophages in pulmonary sarcoidosis correlates with markers of lymphocyte activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

: The proliferation of alveolar macrophages in 47 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis was investigated using immune peroxidase stains with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. In patients suffering from sarcoidosis, a significantly elevated number of Ki-67-positive alveolar macrophages was observed. The number of proliferating alveolar macrophages showed a significant positive correlation both with the number of lymphocytes in the BAL fluid and with the T4/T8 quotient in the BAL fluid of sarcoidosis patients.