RESUMO
T-Iymphocyte activation in sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF] was evaluated using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for soluble interleukin-2 receptor [IL-2R] in serum samples and bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] Fluids. The study included 12 patients with active untreated sarcoidosis, 8 patient with IPF and 14 subjects as normal control. The mean serum levels were significantly higher in sarcoidosis and IPF [2562.5 +/- 1349.9 and 541.6 +/- 197.6 u/ml] compared to normal control subjects [192.3 +/- 77.3 U/ml] and being higher in sarcoidosis than IPF [p < 0.001]. In contrast, in BAL fluids the IL-2R levels were low among the three studied groups [0.04 +/- 0.05, 0.035 +/- 0.03 and 0.030 +/- 0.02 micro/mg total protein] respectively]. It is concluded that serum IL-2R may reflect disease activity in patients with active sarcoidosis