Nonspecific esterase activity of human alveolar macrophages in routine cytology. 1988

K Wehle, and P Pfitzer
Department of Cytopathology, University of Düsseldorf, West Germany.

Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity in alveolar macrophages was demonstrated in air-dried smears from samples of 82 sputa, 47 bronchial secretions and 14 bronchial lavages from 113 patients. Enzyme activity was estimated by a semiquantitative scoring method. There was a 7.4% loss of activity after 24 hours of storing the unfixed material, increasing to 14.4% after three days, while storing the air-dried smears for up to four weeks did not change the ANAE activity. The mean cellular esterase activity was correlated to the clinical and cytologic findings. A stringent correlation could be found for patients smoking more than 30 cigarettes a day; they had a 17% increase in activity as compared to nonsmokers. In patients with bronchial asthma, the activity was 18% higher than the total mean. In three patients with pulmonary embolisms, the ANAE activity was also increased. Treatment with a combination of cytostatics and a corticoid caused a severe decrease. No correlation could be found to age, sex, inflammation or malignant or cardiac diseases. These findings indicate that the application of the ANAE reaction to routine cytologic specimens can contribute to the functional characterization of human alveolar macrophages.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008171 Lung Diseases Pathological processes involving any part of the LUNG. Pulmonary Diseases,Disease, Pulmonary,Diseases, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Disease,Disease, Lung,Diseases, Lung,Lung Disease
D008264 Macrophages The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.) Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophages,Macrophage,Macrophages, Monocyte-Derived,Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages,Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage,Macrophage, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophage, Monocyte-Derived,Macrophages, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophages, Monocyte Derived,Monocyte Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophage
D009283 Naphthol AS D Esterase Hydrolytic enzyme activity used as a histocytochemical test for the presence of esterases in tissue. Substrate used is 3-hydroxy-4'-nitro-2-naphthanilide chloroacetate (naphthol AS-D). ANAE,Naphthol AS D Acetatesterase,Naphthol AS D Chloroacetate Esterase,alpha-Naphthyl Acetate Esterase,alpha Naphthylesterase,alpha-Naphthylacetate Esterase,Acetate Esterase, alpha-Naphthyl,Esterase, alpha-Naphthyl Acetate,Esterase, alpha-Naphthylacetate,Naphthylesterase, alpha,alpha Naphthyl Acetate Esterase,alpha Naphthylacetate Esterase
D011650 Pulmonary Alveoli Small polyhedral outpouchings along the walls of the alveolar sacs, alveolar ducts and terminal bronchioles through the walls of which gas exchange between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood takes place. Alveoli, Pulmonary,Alveolus, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Alveolus
D011655 Pulmonary Embolism Blocking of the PULMONARY ARTERY or one of its branches by an EMBOLUS. Pulmonary Thromboembolism,Thromboembolism, Pulmonary,Embolism, Pulmonary,Embolisms, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Embolisms,Pulmonary Thromboembolisms,Thromboembolisms, Pulmonary
D001992 Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Washing liquid obtained from irrigation of the lung, including the BRONCHI and the PULMONARY ALVEOLI. It is generally used to assess biochemical, inflammatory, or infection status of the lung. Alveolar Lavage Fluid,Bronchial Lavage Fluid,Lung Lavage Fluid,Bronchial Alveolar Lavage Fluid,Lavage Fluid, Bronchial,Lavage Fluid, Lung,Pulmonary Lavage Fluid,Alveolar Lavage Fluids,Bronchial Lavage Fluids,Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluids,Lavage Fluid, Alveolar,Lavage Fluid, Bronchoalveolar,Lavage Fluid, Pulmonary,Lavage Fluids, Alveolar,Lavage Fluids, Bronchial,Lavage Fluids, Bronchoalveolar,Lavage Fluids, Lung,Lavage Fluids, Pulmonary,Lung Lavage Fluids,Pulmonary Lavage Fluids
D005404 Fixatives Agents employed in the preparation of histologic or pathologic specimens for the purpose of maintaining the existing form and structure of all of the constituent elements. Great numbers of different agents are used; some are also decalcifying and hardening agents. They must quickly kill and coagulate living tissue. Fixative,Pickling Agents,Agents, Pickling
D006651 Histocytochemistry Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods. Cytochemistry
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001249 Asthma A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL). Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas

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