Different angiogenic CXC chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after interferon gamma-1b therapy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients

Background and aim: Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease with few treatment options. Angiogenesis that leads to aberrant vascular remodeling is regulated by an opposing balance of angiogenic and angiostatic factors. The present study aims to evaluate the role of three angiogenic (IL-8, ENA-78 and GRO-a) and three angiostatic (MIG, IP-10, ITAC) chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), before and after treatment with Interferon gamma-1b (IFN gamma-1b). Patients and methods: We studied prospectively 20 patients (16 males, 4 females) of median age 68 years (range, 40-75) with histologically confirmed IPF/UIP. Patients were assigned to receive IFN gamma-1b 200 μg sc thrice a week. Angiogenic and angiostatic mediators' levels were measured by ELISA kits. Results: The levels of the angiogenic chemokines significantly decreased after 12 months (mo) of IFN-γ-1b treatment (median values in pg/ml, IL-8/CXCL8: 640 vs. 81, p