Monocyte chemoattractrant protein-1 (MCP-1), a monocyte chemoattractrant and activating chemokine has been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic lung diseases. We wanted to determine if tracheal aspirate concentrations of MCP-1 correlated with the development of BPD (defined as requirement for supplemental oxygen with compatible Xray changes at 28 days). Tracheal aspirates were obtained from 24 very low birth weight infants during the first 2 weeks of life. Concentrations of MCP-1 and secretory component of IgA concentrations were determined by ELISA. Concentrations of MCP-1 were normalized to secretory component, which does not change with inflammation or steroid use. Tracheal concentrations of MCP-1 increased from day 1 through day 5 in infants with RDS. However, infants with BPD had significantly greater concentrations of MCP-1 than infants that did not develop BPD at all days examined.These results demonstrate a correlation between increased MCP-1 concentrations and the development of BPD. Thus MCP-1 production and subsequent macrophage activation may contribute to the pathogenesis observed in BPD. Concentrations of MCP-1 are expressed as pg MCP-1/ug Secretory Component. Data represent Mean±SE (*p<0.05). Table

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