Macrophage-derived biomarkers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe, rapidly progressive diffuse lung disease. Several pathogenetic mechanisms have been hypothesized on the basis of the fibrotic lung damage occurring in this disease, and a potential profibrotic role of activated alveolar macrophages and their mediators in the pathogenesis of IPF was recently documented. This paper focuses on recent literature on potential biomarkers of IPF derived from activated alveolar macrophages. Biomarker discovery and clinical application are a recent topic of interest in the field of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Cytokines, CC-chemokines, and other macrophage-produced mediators are the most promising prognostic biomarkers. Many molecules have been proposed in the literature as potential biomarker of IPF; however, a rigorous validation is needed to confirm their clinical utility.

Figure 1

Calgranulin B concentrations in BAL of sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and healthy controls (smokers and nonsmokers). The box extends from the 25th percentile to the 75th percentile, with a line at the median (the 50th percentile). Prism plots the whiskers to extend above and below the box to show the highest and lowest values [61].