To evaluate concentrates of stromal cell-derived factor in serum and induced sputum supernatants from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) patients, investigate the relationship between the stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) level and the high-resolution computed tomography parameters in patients and explore the role of SDF-1 in the diagnosis and treatment of IPF.

Serum and induced sputum samples were collected from 30 healthy controls and 32 patients with IPF. The concentrations of SDF-1 in serum and induced sputum were measured by ELISA. Lung function and chest high-resolution CT were executed in patients with IPF. Analysis of correlation was performed on these results.

The concentration of SDF-1 in induced sputum was significantly increased in IPF group(705.21±11.71)ng/ml compared with healthy group(252.82±10.62)ng/ml(P<0.05). The level of SDF-1 in serum was also elevated in IPF patients(5.29±0.13)ng/ml compared with healthy group(4.93±0.14)ng/ml, but there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). All patients with IPF have restrictive ventilation dysfunction and diffusion dysfunction. There was a positive relationship between induced sputum SDF-1 level and HRCT score(r=0.287, P<0.01).

The expression of SDF-1 in induced sputum was significantly increased, and associated positively with severe degree (chest high-resolution CT manifestations) of patients with IPF. SDF-1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IPF, therefor serve as a potent testing index of the diagnosis and treatment of IPF.