Research Article

Intrapulmonary Autoantibodies to HSP72 Are Associated with Improved Outcomes in IPF

Figure 1

Total IgG and IgA concentrations in the serum and BALf were elevated in IPF. Total IgG was found to be significantly elevated in the serum of IPF patients compared to other ILD patients and healthy controls ((a) ). IPF and other ILD patients had elevated IgA compared to healthy controls ((b) ). BALf concentrations of IgG were elevated in IPF compared to other ILDs and healthy controls ((c) and , respectively; other ILDs to healthy controls not significant by Kruskal-Wallis). BALf concentrations of IgA were elevated in IPF compared to healthy controls ((d) ; other ILDs to healthy controls not significant by Kruskal-Wallis). IPF progressors had elevated serum IgG compared to nonprogressors (). No differences were seen between IPF subgroups in serum IgA or BALf IgG or IgA. Statistical analysis between patient cohorts and healthy controls was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s posttest. Comparison between IPF progressors and nonprogressors was analysed with the Mann-Whitney test.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)