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Vedci SAV našli molekulu, ktorá zlepší diagnostiku pľúcnych ochorení

Scientists Find a Molecule That Improves Lung Disease Diagnosis

23. 1. 2025 | 148 visits

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is one of the most severe diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD). It is often a complication of so-called long-term (long) COVID. A scientific team, which includes the Institute of Molecular Biology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), succeeded in identifying the molecule CD44 in fluid obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF) through biochemical and biophysical characterization as a specific and reliable biomarker of DPLD accompanied by pulmonary fibrosis.

Despite the poor prognosis associated with pulmonary fibrosis, there have been no specific diagnostic biomarkers for the early development of this disease. “Clinical diagnoses are made based on radiology, histological evaluations, and pulmonary function tests, primarily the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide,” explains Vladimír Leksa from the Institute of Molecular Biology of SAS.

Clinical diagnosis of DPLD has significantly advanced through high-resolution computed tomography. However, due to immense heterogeneity (different structural composition), insufficient knowledge about the origin of the disease, and a general lack of precise diagnostic methods, V. Leksa warns that misdiagnoses can occur.

“As a result, patients may be treated ineffectively or incorrectly, which is critical because anti-inflammatory treatments can cause undesirable side effects in some patients. Cytological and microbiological evaluation of fluids from bronchoalveolar lavage (BALF) has recently become an optimal source for confirming or ruling out an initial diagnosis and possibly providing biomarkers for the early development of lung scarring,” explains V. Leksa. Thus the CD44 molecule in BALF has been identified as a specific and reliable biochemical biomarker to differentiate fibrotic forms of DPLD.

The findings of this research will contribute to improved clinical diagnosis of progressive pulmonary fibrotic diseases. They are particularly important and useful in diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis in patients with long-term COVID.

 

Source and contact: Vladimír Leksa, Institute of Molecular Biology of SAS, vladimir.leksa@savba.sk