Summary
The modifications of the extracellular matrix (ExM) components in the alveolar parenchyma of elderly subjects were investigated using a panel of polyclonal antibodies. The elastic fibers showed a notable decrease along the alveolar walls while type III collagen increased when compared with that of non-elderly controls. No variations of these components were detectable in the alveolar ducts or in the respiratory bronchioli. An increase in the thickness of the alveolar basement membranes was detected in some of the subjects when antibodies against type IV collagen and laminin were used, while antibodies to fibronectin and type V collagen did not reveal any modifications compared with the controls. The modifications revealed in the lungs of the elderly can be related to the alterations of the elastic recoil and pulmonary compliance observed in these subjects.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alessi A, Eusebi V (1969) Tecnica di impregnazione argentica. Pathologica 61:1–4
Andreotti L, Bussotti A, Cammelli D, Aiello E, Sampognaro S (1983) Connective tissue in ageing lung. Gerontology 29:377–387
Astrand I, Astrand PO, Hallback I, Kilbom A (1973) Reduction in maximal oxygen uptake with age. J Appl Physiol 35:649–654
Barsky SH, Rao CN, Grotendorst GR, Liotta LA (1982) Increased content of type V collagen in desmoplasia of human breast carcinoma. Am J Pathol 108:276–283
Bianchi FB, Biagini G, Ballardini G, Cenacchi G, Faccani A, Pisi E, Laschi E, Liotta L, Garbisa S (1984) Basement membrane production by hepatocytes in chronic liver disease. Hepatology 4:1167–1172
Briscoe A, Loring WE, Mc Clement JH (1959) Changes in human lung collagen and lipids with age. Proc Soc Exptl Biol Med 102:71–74
Brown ES (1957) Lung area from surface tension effects. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 95:168–170
Churg A (1983) An inflation procedure for open lung biopsies. Am J Surg Pathol 7:69–71
Daga-Gordini D, Spina M, Vassanelli P, Gotte L (1984) Aspetti ultrastrutturali della degradazione dell'elastina aortica umana in un sistema modello “in vivo”. XL Convegno Società Italiana di Anatomia, 249–250, Como
D'Ardenne AJ, Burns J, Sykes BC, Bennet MK (1983) Fibronectin and type III collagen in epithelial neoplasms of gastrointestinal tract and salivary gland. J Clin Pathol 36:756–763
D'Errico A, Biagini G, Garbisa S, Milani M, Rizzoli R, Vasi V, Villanacci V, Grigioni WF, Mancini AM (1986) Detection of extracellular matrix antigens (fibronectin, laminin, type IV collagen) in paraffin embedded sections by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex labelling. Bas Appl Histochem 30:325–332
Giese W (1959) Einteilung und Abgrenzung des Emphyseme. Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol 43:269–271
Hance AJ, Crystal RG (1975) The connective tissue of lung. Am Rev Resp Dis 112:657–711
Hartung W (1975) Alterslunge, Struktur und Funktion. Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol 59:360–363
Hsu SM, Raine L, Fanger H (1981) The use of antiavidin antibody and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex in immunoperoxidase technics. Am J Clin Pathol 75:816–821
Hyeronymi G (1961) Über den durch das Alter bedingten Formwandel menschlicher Lungen. Erg Pathol Pathol Anat 41:1–62
Liotta LA, Goldfarb RH, Brundage R, Siegal GP, Terranova V, Garbisa S (1981) Effect of plasminogen activator (urokinase), plasmin and thrombin on glycoprotein and collagenous components of basement membrane. Cancer Res 41:4629–4636
Lansing AI, Roesenthal TB, Alex M, Dempsey EM (1952) The structure and chemical characterization of elastin fibers as revealed by elastase and electronmicroscopy. Anat Rec 114:555–575
Manderly JL, Hahn FF (1982) The effects of age on lung function and structure of adult animals. Adv Veter Sc Comp Med 26:35–77
Partridge SM, Davies HF, Adair GS (1955) The chemistry of connective tissues. Soluble proteins derived from partial hydrolysis of elastin. Biochem J 61:11–21
Pierce JA, Ebert RV (1965) Fibrous network of the lung and its change with age. Thorax 20:469–476
Pump KK (1976) Emphysema and its relation to age. Am J Rev Resp Dis 114:5–13
Ranga V, Kleinerman J, Sorensen J (1979) Age-related changes in elastic fibers and elastin of lung. Am Rev Resp Dis 119:369–376
Robert L, Poullain N (1963) Etudes sur la structure de l'élastine et le mode d'action de l'élastase. Bull Soc Chim Biol 45:1317–1326
Shimura S, Boatman ES, Martin CJ (1986) Effects of ageing on the alveolar pores of Kohn and on the cytoplasmic components of alveolar type II cells in monkey lungs. J Pathol 148:1–11
Thurlbeck WM, Angus GE (1975) Growth and ageing of the normal human lung. Chest 67:suppl 3–7
Turner JM, Mead J, Wohl ME (1968) Elasticity of human lungs in relation to age. J Appl Physiol 25:664–671
Wright RR (1961) Elastic tissue of normal and emphysematous lungs. Am J Pathol 39:355–367
Yasuoka S, Manabe H, Ozaki T, Tsubura E (1977) Effect of age on the saturated lecithin contents of human and rat lung tissues. J Gerontol 32:387–391
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
D'Errico, A., Scarani, P., Colosimo, E. et al. Changes in the alveolar connective tissue of the ageing lung. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 415, 137–144 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00784351
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00784351