Up-regulated expression of immunoproteasome subunit LMP7 in alveolar macrophages of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Background: Proteasomes are important proteolytic complexes for the processing of endogenous antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Low molecule weight protein (LMP) 2 and LMP7 are IFN-γ-inducible and MHC-II-encoded β subunits which can incorporate into the constitutive 20S proteasome and turn it to immunoproteasomes with alterations of catalytic properties. Aim of the study: To compare the expressions of LMP2 and LMP7 in alveolar macrophages (AMs) of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and sarcoidosis. Patients and Methods: BAL cells were collected from 24 granulomatous…