Clinical significance of serum KL-6 in pulmonary sarcoidosis

R. Kondo, T. Horiguchi, S. Teruya, K. Banno, A. Ishibashi, Y. Sasaki, M. Handa, S. Tachikawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We investigated whether the level of serum KL-6 could be an activity marker for pulmonary sarcoidosis. In 33 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, the relationships between serum KL-6 levels and diagnostic imaging, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, serum lysozyme levels, steroid therapy, and prognosis were evaluated. There were no significant differences in the level of serum KL-6 when the patients were divided on the basis of radiographic findings, but the level of serum KL-6 was markedly elevated in some patients with stage-II pulmonary sarcoidosis. There was a significant correlation between serum KL-6 levels and the following two parameters: serum ACE and lysozyme levels. Among patients with a high initial level of serum KL-6, pulmonary sarcoidosis tended to become exacerbated within one year. Steroid therapy significantly decreased the level of serum KL-6, suggesting that the level of serum KL-6 could be an activity indicator for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Immunohistochemical staining by anti-KL-6 antibody revealed that KL-6 was localized in proliferating type-II alveolar epithelial cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)823-828
Number of pages6
JournalNihon Kokyūki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society
Volume39
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 11-2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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