Role of transforming growth factor beta in assessment of severity of hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a single center study

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a more frequently diagnosed picture of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. It is an inflammation of the lung tissue, provoked by immune mechanisms, which happens to prone individuals as a reaction to a wide range of antigens. There are different degrees of fibrosis and inflammation. A group of extracellular mediators both proinflammatory and profibrotic claimed to be involved in the pathogenesis of HP. Among these mediators, a significant role is played by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β).

Correlation between the severity of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and the serum level of TGF beta.

Sixty subjects were included in the study who were classified into 30 patients newly diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and 30 healthy subjects served as controls. All the participants were subjected to complete history taking, physical examination, spirometry, 6-min walk distance test, HRCT, and serum levels of TGF-β.

The serum level of TGF beta is elevated in newly diagnosed HP cases (fibrotic and non-fibrotic) in relation to control participants showing statistical significance p value <  0.001, and the serum level of TGF beta in the fibrotic group of HP patients is more than that in non-fibrotic group with statistical significance p value 0.012.

The serum level of transforming growth factor can be used in the assessment of the severity of hypersensitivity pneumonitis as regards the intensity of lung parenchymal changes.