ObjectiveTo investigate the key long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by Bioinformatics analysis.MethodsBioinformatics analysis of three gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE2052, GSE44723, and GSE24206), including 42 IPF and 21 normal lung tissues, was performed in this study. Subsequently, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered, and key genes involved in signaling pathways and the DEG-associated protein-protein interaction network (PPI) were further analyzed. The filtered genes expression was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis.ResultsA total of 8483 aberrantly expressed genes were screened, and 29 overlapping genes were identified among these three datasets. A significant enrichment analysis of DEG-associated functions and pathways was further performed. A total of 18 modules were obtained from the DEG PPI network, and most of the modules were involved in polyubiquitination, Golgi vesicle transport, endocytosis and so on. The key genes were obtained through hypergeometric testing, and most of the corresponding genes were closely associated with ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, the spliceosome, and the cell cycle. These differential expressed genes, such as lncMALAT1, E2F1 and YBX1, were detected in the peripheral blood of IPF patients when compared with those normal control subjects.ConclusionlncMALAT1, E2F1 and YBX1 might be possible regulators for the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
MethodsPubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of pirfenidone as interventions for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. According to the Cochrane system evaluation method, the methodological quality of included studies was evaluated and the effective data were extracted. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.2 software.
ResultsSix studies were included with 1727 patients in total. Compared with placebo groups, pirfenidon could improve the changing rate of vital capacity at the end of the treatment[WMD=0.06, 95% CI (0.01, 0.12), Z=2.48, P=0.01; heterogeneity inspection χ2=1.03, P=0.31]. Pirfenidon could not improve the changing rate of lowest SpO2 in 6-minute walking test[WMD=0.82, 95% CI (-1.35, 2.98), Z=0.74, P=0.46; heterogeneity inspection χ2=8.90, P=0.003] and could not reduce the mortality[RR=0.62, 95% CI (0.37, 1.03), Z=1.85, P=0.06; heterogeneity inspection χ2=3.05, P=0.55]. The incidences of photosensitivity, dizziness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, joint pain, fatigue in pirfenidone group were more frequent than those in placebo group.
ConclusionsBecause of lack of enough eligible studies and defects in design and reporting data in the studies, this meta-analysis can not evaluate pirfenidone's long-term efficacy and safety. Hence, the existed clinical evidences can't support pirfenidone to be the treatment of IPF medication.
ObjectiveAlthough evidence links idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and diabetes mellitus (DM), the exact underlying common mechanism of its occurrence is unclear. This study aims to explore further the molecular mechanism between these two diseases. MethodsThe microarray data of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression genes related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and three public databases were employed to analyze and screen the gene targets related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed by Metascape. In addition, common microRNAs (miRNAs), common in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus, were obtained from the Human microRNA Disease Database (HMDD), and their target genes were predicted by miRTarbase. Finally, we constructed a common miRNAs-mRNAs network by using the overlapping genes of the target gene and the shared gene. ResultsThe results of common gene analysis suggested that remodeling of the extracellular matrix might be a key factor in the interconnection of DM and IPF. Finally, hub genes (MMP1, IL1R1, SPP1) were further screened. miRNA-gene network suggested that has-let-19a-3p may play a key role in the common molecular mechanism between IPF and DM. ConclusionsThis study provides new insights into the potential pathogenic mechanisms between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. These common pathways and hub genes may provide new ideas for further experimental studies.
ObjectivesTo compare the clinical features of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).MethodsEighty-three patients diagnosed as CPFE or IPF for the first time were retrospectively analyzed from June 2014 to July 2018 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, including 47 patients in the CPFE group and 36 in the IPF group. The demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, pulmonary function, cardiac ultrasound, blood gas analysis and prognosis of the two groups were compared.ResultsThe proportion of smokers in the CPFE group was higher than IPF group (P<0.05), but dyspnea was lower (P<0.05). The FVC, FVC%pred, FEV1, FEV1%pred and VC% of the CPFE group were higher than IPF group (P<0.05), while FEV1/FVC%pred in the IPF group was higher than CPFE group (P<0.05). DLCO/VA%pred of CPFE group decreased more significantly than IPF group (P<0.05), RV/TLC%pred of CPFE group increased annually, while decreased annually in IPF group (P<0.01). The RV%pred of CPFE increased annually, while that of IPF group decreased annually (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in arterial oxygen pressure and pulmonary artery pressure between the two groups. As for prognosis, the 1- and 3-year survival rate of the CPFE group were 87.9% and 73.8% respectively, those of the IPF group were 84.1% and 65.8% respectively, and no significantly difference was observed between two groups (P=0.95).ConclusionsCompared with IPF, patients with CPFE usually have more smokers, less proportion of dyspnea, almost normal lung volume, more rapidly decreased DLCO/VA%pred, and no significant difference in prognosis.
ObjectiveTo detect the levels of Krebs von den lungen 6 (KL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),and explore its clinical significance.
MethodsThirty-four patients with IPF and 10 patients with sarcoidosis in Ⅰ period were recruited in the study. ELISA was used to detect the level of KL-6 in BALF and serum.
ResultsIn the IPF group,the forced vital capacity as percentage of predicted value (FVC% pred) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide as percentage of predicted value (DLCO %pred) were both significantly lower than those of the sarcoidosis group[(69.51±13.65)% vs. (82.06±5.84)%,(48.58±12.73)% vs. (81.47±6.39)%,P<0.01]. In the BALF of IPF group,the percentage of neutrophils was higher[(8.91±6.79)% vs. (5.50±3.60)%,P<0.05],and the percentages of lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio were lower than those of the sarcoidosis group[(11.71±6.64)% vs. (23.30±12.68)%,(1.46±0.83) vs. (4.01±5.10),P<0.05]. In the IPF group,the level of KL-6 in the BALF and serum was higher than that of the arcoidosis group[(437.43±251.70) U/mL vs. (221.59±127.41) U/mL,(857.81±515.53) U/mL vs. (338.67±168.13) U/mL,P<0.001]. There was obvious correlation between the level of serum KL-6 with FVC%pred and DLCO%pred in the IPF group (r=-0.46,r=-0.58,P<0.05).
ConclusionsThe level of KL-6 in BALF and serum is elevated in patients with IPF. There is obvious correlation between the level of serum KL-6 with FVC%pred and DLCO%pred in IPF patients. KL-6 may be an indicator of IPF in clinical diagnose.
Objective To investigate the impact and mechanisms of periostin (POSTN), Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A), and pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) on the diagnosis and disease assessment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and conduct a comparative analysis. Methods From October 2022 to October 2023, a total of 55 patients diagnosed with IPF and treated at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled as an IPF group. Additionally, 30 patients with bacterial pneumonia and 30 healthy individuals undergoing concurrent health examinations during the same period were selected as a pneumonia control group and a healthy control group, respectively. All participants underwent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum levels of POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D, along with pulmonary function tests. The IPF patients also underwent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and echocardiography to quantify HRCT scores and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze the significance of serum POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D levels in IPF diagnosis. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used to analyze the relationships between these biomarkers and pulmonary function, PASP, and HRCT scores. Results Serum concentrations of POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D were significantly elevated in the IPF group compared with the pneumonia group and the healthy controls (P<0.05), while serum levels of SP-A and SP-D were notably higher in the pneumonia group compared with the healthy control group (P<0.05). Within the IPF group, serum POSTN levels were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV1%pred) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide as a percentage of predicted value (DLCO%pred) (P<0.05); KL-6 and SP-D levels were also negatively correlated with FEV1%pred, forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted value (FVC%pred), and DLCO%pred (P<0.05); and the concentration of SP-A was negatively correlated with DLCO%pred and positively correlated with PASP (P<0.05). Additionally, serum levels of POSTN, KL-6, and SP-A in the IPF group showed significant positive associations with HRCT scores (P<0.01). Conclusions POSTN is a valuable serum biomarker for IPF, exhibiting the highest sensitivity and specificity among the four serum markers, with diagnostic performance superior to KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D. POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D can all be used for the diagnosis and assessment of IPF.
Objective To analyze the clinical presentations and radiological characteristics of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Clinical and radiological data of 2 patients with acute exacerbation of IPF from April 2006 to July 2008 were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed. Results Both patients were senior male patients over 60 years old. Dyspnea, cough and inspiratory crackles were the major symptoms and signs. Two patients were experiencing an exacerbation of dyspnea for one week and half of month, respectively. PaO2 /FiO2 of both patients was less than225 mm Hg. In both patients, high-resolution computed tomography ( HRCT) scans at the exacerbation showed typical signs of IPF including peripheral predominant, basal predominant reticular abnormality, with honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis and bronchiolectasis, and newly developing alveolar opacity. HRCT scan showed peripheral area of ground-glass attenuation adjacent to subpleural honeycombing in one patient, and diffusely distributed ground-glass opacity in another patient. Two patients had received corticosteroid treatment. For one patient, the symptoms improved, and ground-glass attenuation adjacent to subpleural honeycombing had almostly resolved. The other patient died of respiratory failure. Conclusions Some acute exacerbation in idiopatic pulmonary fibrosis can be idiopathic. The clinical presentations mainly include the worsening of dyspnea within short time. HRCT generally demonstrates new bilateral ground-glass abnormality with or without areas of consolidation, superimposed on typical changes of IPF.
ObjectiveTo understand the genetic polymorphisms of MUC5B and TOLLIP in Chinese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and to explore whether gene polymorphism variation in Chinese IPF patients can be used as a genetic biomarker for accurate treatment and prognosis judgment.MethodsA total of one hundred and twenty-six patients with IPF were enrolled in this study. The baseline characteristics, total lung capacity (TLC), forced vital capacity (FVC), carbon monoxide diffusion function (DLCO), imaging changes of the patients were followed up. The levels of serum sputum glycosylated antigen-6 (Krebs Von den Lungen-6, KL-6) and B lymphocyte chemotactic factor C-X-C motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13) were detected by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The gene MUC5B rs35705950 and TOLLIP rs5743890, rs5743894 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were determined by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-six patients with IPF were found with AA type by TOLLIP rs5743890 and rs5743894 SNP, accounting for 100.0%; MUC5B rs35705950 SNP was expressed as 116 patients (92.1%) with GG type, and 10 patients (7.9%) with GT type, no TT patients were detected. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups in age and non-smokers (P>0.05). Compared with group G, annual decrease of lung function (FVC, DLCO, and TLC), serum biomarkers (KL-6 and CXCL13), annual increase of reticular and honeycombing lesions, and mortality were significantly lower in group T (P<0.05). The median survival time of IPF patients carrying the MUC5B SNP rs35705950 minor allele (gene phenotype GT) heterozygous was significantly higher than that of homozygous IPF patients with a genetic phenotype of GG.ConclusionsThere are genetic polymorphisms in Chinese patients with IPF. MUC5B rs35705950 and TOLLIP rs5743890, rs5743894 gene subtypes have low mutation rates in the cohort. Compared with homozygous patients of MUC5B SNP rs35705950, heterozygous patients have smaller changes in lung function and radiological image, lower levels of serum KL-6 and CXCL13, and better prognosis.
【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the relationship between multiple tumor biomarkers and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) , and analyze the prognostic value of these biomarkers in IPF. Methods Clinical data of 43 confirmed IPF patients with no evidence of malignant disaeses, admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2000 and June 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. All IPF patients had detected serum alpha fetoprotein ( AFP) , cancer antigen 50 ( CA50) , cancer antigen 24-2( CA24-2) , carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA) , carbohydrate antigen 19-9 ( CA19-9) , cancer antigen 125( CA125) , cancer antigen 15-3 ( CA15-3) , tissue polypeptide antigen ( TPA) , neuron specific enolase( NSE) , and cytokeratin-19-fragment ( Cyfra211) . Results The serum levels of CEA, CA19-9, CA125,CA15-3, and TPA were obviously higher than normal range, while the serum levels of AFP, CA50, CA24-2,NSE, and Cyfra211 were within normal range. Neither tumor biomarkers had correlation with 6-minute walk distance, FVC% pred, TLC% pred, DLCO/VA, PaO2 , PaO2 /FiO2 , P( A-a) O2 , BALF cell differentiation counting,or CD4 /CD8. The patients with increased CA19-9 level had shorter survival time than those with normal CA19-9 level ( P lt; 0. 05) . There was no significant difference in survival time between the patients with increased CEA/TPA levels and those with normal CEA/TPA levels( P gt;0. 05) , neither between the patients with glucocorticoid treatment and those with non-glucocorticoid treatment ( P gt; 0. 05) . Conclusions Multiple tumor biomarkers, especially CA19-9, increase in IPF patients. The degrees of those increases arenot associated with the severity of disease, but closely relate to prognosis, and may also indicate the progression. The increases of multiple tumor biomarkers may be a sign of poor prognosis of IPF with no evidence of malignant disaeses.
