Abnormal pulmonary macrophages in lysinuric protein intolerance. Ultrastructural, morphometric, and x-ray microanalytic study.

Pediatric patients with lysinuric protein intolerance are predisposed to develop alveolar hemorrhage and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. We evaluated the ultrastructural features of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and the potential abnormality of pulmonary macrophages in lysinuric protein intolerance. Lung tissue specimens obtained at autopsy were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Pulmonary macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavages were studied by electron microscopy, morphometry, and x-ray microanalysis and compared with control cells. The macrophages of patients with lysinuric protein intolerance contained significantly more multilamellar structures than did control cells and showed electron-dense material identified to contain excess iron. The predisposition to develop alveolar proteinosis and the abnormal ultrastructure of pulmonary macrophages suggest altered phospholipid metabolism in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance. The marked intramacrophageal accumulations of iron might indicate altered iron metabolism or subclinical hemorrhages in lung tissue.