Macrophages, neutrophils and tumour necrosis factor-α expression in bronchiectatic airways in vivo

Bronchiectasis is increasingly being recognized as an inflammatory condition of the airways in which pathological permanent dilation occurs. We have obtained endobronchial biopsies in 14 patients with stable bronchiectasis and 15 control subjects. Airway neutrophils, macrophages and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-positive cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies and the densities of positive cells in the lamina propria were determined by using a computer image analyser. There was significantly higher neutrophil, macrophage and TNFα-positive cell densities in the lamina propria of bronchiectatic than control airways (P<0·001, P