%0 Journal Article
%T Upregulation of Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily J Member 2 Levels in the Lungs of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
%A Chang
%A Hun Soo
%A Jung
%A Chang An
%A Kim
%A Ryun Hee
%A Lee
%A Jong-Uk
%A Park
%A Choon-Sik
%A Park
%A Jong-Sook
%J -
%D 2020
%R https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3406530
%X Background. Fibroblast dysfunction is the main pathogenic mechanism underpinning idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 2 (KCNJ2) plays critical roles in the proliferation of myofibroblasts and in the development of cardiac fibrosis. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the role of KCNJ2 in IPF. Methods. KCNJ2 mRNA expression was measured using real-time PCR in fibroblasts from IPF patients and normal controls (NCs). Protein concentrations were measured by ELISA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from NCs (nˋ=ˋ30), IPF (nˋ=ˋ84), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; nˋ=ˋ9), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP; nˋ=ˋ8), and sarcoidosis (nˋ=ˋ10). Results. KCNJ2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in fibroblasts from IPF (nˋ=ˋ14) than those from NCs (nˋ=ˋ10, ). KCNJ2 protein levels in BAL fluid were significantly higher in IPF (6.587 [1.441每26.01]ˋng/mL) than in NCs (0.084 [0.00每0.260]ˋng/mL, p < 0.001), NSIP (0.301 [0.070每5.059]ˋng/mL, pˋ=ˋ0.006), HP (0.365 [0.000每3.407]ˋng/mL, pˋ=ˋ0.02), and sarcoidosis (0.170 [0.057每1.179]ˋng/mL, pˋ=ˋ0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed a clear difference between the IPF and NCs according to the KCNJ2 protein level (area under the curveˋ=ˋ0.893). The KCNJ2 protein cutoff level determined from the curves (0.636ˋng/mL) showed a 90.0% specificity and 83.3% sensitivity in distinguishing IPF from NCs. Conclusion. KCNJ2 may participate in the development of IPF, and its protein level may be a candidate diagnostic and therapeutic molecule for IPF
%U https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crj/2020/3406530/