Lipid-laden bronchoalveolar macrophages in asthma and chronic cough

SummaryBackgroundThe presence of lipids in alveolar macrophages (AMs) may impair their phagocytic response, and determine airway inflammation and obstruction.ObjectiveTo determine the factors such as severity of asthma, chronic cough, airway inflammation and obesity that may influence the presence of lipids in lung macrophages.MethodsBronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from 38 asthmatics (21 severe and 17 mild/moderate), 16 subjects with chronic cough and 11 healthy control subjects. The presence of lipids in macrophages was detected using an Oil-red-O stain and an index of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMI) was obtained.ResultsLLMI scores were higher in healthy subjects (median 48 [IQR 10–61]) and the severe asthma group (37 [11.5–61]) compared to mild/moderate asthmatics (7 [0.5–37]; p