Evaluation of antileukoprotease in surgical lung specimens.

To evaluate the presence of antileukoprotease in the lung and its possible contribution to parenchymal protection, surgically removed lungs or lobes of 41 patients were studied. Tissue slices were stained immunohistochemically for antileukoprotease. Site and number of antileukoprotease-containing cells were recorded. To measure emphysema, the mean linear intercept of each slice was determined. Antileukoprotease was observed in bronchial epithelium and glands and in at least two types of nonciliated cells and in a few basal cells of bronchiolar epithelium. No relationship existed between the frequency of antileukoprotease positive cells in membranous bronchioles and the mean linear intercept, the smoking history or lung function except for total lung capacity. These results do not support a protective activity of antileukoprotease against emphysema, but neither do they provide evidence against it.