INTERACTION OF FILARIAL PROTEINS ON GROWTH-REGULATION OF NORMAL LUNG EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN-VITRO

An in vitro model to examine the effects of filarial proteins on lung epithelial cells has been developed. Several of these proteins appear in circulation of infected individuals. A close association between tr opical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) and filariasis has been reported b y several workers. [H-3]-thymidine studies do indicate that when optim um concentration of these filarial proteins were added to lung culture s in proliferating and basal / maintenance media a further increase in growth stimulation was observed early in culture. However, on longer exposures and at higher concentrations an inhibitory effect with disti nct morphological changes were noted. The dual role of these proteins on lung epithelial cells in vitro may highlight the possibility of a d irect interaction of these proteins with lung cells during disease als o contributing to tissue damage.