Evaluation of differential serum expression of three factors and pulmonary function in patients with silicosis

Abstract

Objectives Silicosis is a chronic occupational lung disease. As was previously found by the authors, some proteins increased in the lung tissue of activated rats, and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2), factor B, and vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) showed highly differential expressions. Material and Methods In this study, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from patients with silicosis and healthy people to verify the expression of PTPN2, factor B, and VRK1. The diagnostic value of differentially expressed proteins for silicosis was judged. Results The expression levels of serum PTPN2, VRK1, and factor B in patients with silicosis were significantly higher than those in the control group (p 0.744, with PTPN2 reaching the highest value (0.858). The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for the combined diagnosis using factor B and PTPN2 were 0.907, 86.91% and 85.07%, respectively, for factor B and PTPN2. The 3 differentially expressed proteins are potential classes of predictive biomarkers for silicosis. Conclusions Regarding the economy and test practicality, the best diagnostic combination is factor B and PTPN2 for the analysis of AUC, sensitivity and specificity. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(4):527–40

Keywords

• silicosis
• pulmonary function
• early diagnosis
• roc
• ptpn2
• factor b