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The primary purpose of this study was to describe the expression pattern of the surface antigens CD68 , CD36 , 27E10 , G16 / 1 , and RM3 / 1 on bronchoalveolar lavage ( BAL ) cells of smokers and nonsmokers . We found a cell type , morphologically similar to lymphocytes , which showed a strong expression of the monocyte markers CD68 and CD36 . We therefore recognized these cells as plasmacytoid monocytes ( PM ). Hereby we report the appearance of PM in the BAL and its dependency of smoking . The study was conducted in 40 patients with various lung diseases and normal subjects . Sixteen patients and normal subjects were smokers and 24 were nonsmokers . There was a significant increase of PM in the BAL of smokers compared to nonsmokers . However we could not find a disease related increase of PM in the BAL . This is the first report demonstrating the occurence of PM in the BAL . Our data support the monocytic origin of PM and suggest an involvement in T cell - mediated responses of the lung . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]