BALF cells
In responders, mean CD4/CD8 ratio decreased from 9.2 to 3.0 (p=0.008),
while both non-responders disclosed an increase, individual data shown
in Fig. 2a. Mean number of mast cells per 10 visual fields in x16
magnification decreased from 26.0 to 3.8 in responders (p=0.04) but
increased in both non-responders, see Fig. 2b. The change in cell
concentration, percentage and absolute numbers of macrophages,
lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils between base-line and follow-up
disclosed individual differences but no significant changes were
observed. Cell concentration and lymphocyte data are shown in Fig. 2c-e.
In responders, the mean percentage of CD4+ T-cell expressing CD69
decreased from 86.0 to 80.2 (p=0.01), while no change was seen in the
two non-responders, shown in Fig. 2f. No significant change was seen in
percentage of CD8+ T-cells expressing CD69. Percentage of CD4+ T-cells
expressing forkhead box protein 3 transcription factor (FoxP3) decreased
in all patients except two responders, number 7 and 8 (p=0.07), see Fig.
2g. We did not find anything in clinical phenotype or BALF data
differentiating these from the other patients. BALF data at follow-up
did not correlate with time span between last infusion of infliximab and
bronchoscopy. Detailed individual information on BALF data is given in
Supplement 3a-c.