Fibrosis and Damage Markers in Occupational Interstitial Lung Diseases

The investigation of biomarkers for fibrosis and lung tissue damage is very important for the diagnosis and prognosis of interstitial lung disease, as well as treatment strategies. The biomarkers secreted by Type II pneumocytes and cells of the bronchiolar epithelium are most reflective of the formation of pulmonary fibrosis and the degree of damage to the lung tissue. The levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), alveolomucin (mucin-antigen 3EG5), and Clara cell secretory protein in occupational interstitial lung diseases (e.g., exogenous alveolitis, pneumoconiosis), caused by exposure to organic and inorganic factors, were analysed in dependence of disease activity phase. The level of alveolomucin in pneumoconiosis and in occupational alveolitis remission may reflect the extent of pulmonary fibrosis, which is a prognostic sign of the outcome of the disease. Higher specificity and lower sensitivity of alveolomucin compared to KL-6 can be used as a screening test for exogenous alveolitis. KL-6 and alveolomucin are more useful biomarkers than Clara cell secretory protein for diagnosis, exacerbation, and progression of occupational alveolitis.