This study investigated fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as a potential biomarker for interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods like western blot analysis, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and immunohistochemical staining were used to compare FAP expression in lung tissue samples from ILD patients and controls. Results showed higher FAP protein and mRNA levels in ILD lungs compared to controls. This suggests FAP could be a more precise biomarker for early ILD diagnosis and monitoring treatment response, as opposed to biomarkers previously used. Molecular biology research methods helped verify the data and find this new biomarker.

1. Michael Díaz – 3° Semestre
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

2. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a
group of lung disorders in which the
deep lung tissues become inflamed
and subsequently cause damage.
What are interstitial lung
diseases?
1. Introduction

3. It is a surface biomarker of activated
fibroblasts. It has been known for
some time but has not been studied.
What is fibroblast activation
protein?
1. Introduction

4. 2. Objectives
“The present study aims to comprehensively
investigate whether the expression intensity of FAP could be used
as a potential readout to estimate or measure the amounts of
activated fibroblasts in ILD lungs quantitatively”

5. 3. Metods
Western Blot Analysis
Real-time Quantitative
PCR (qPCR)
A laboratory technique used to
detect a specific protein in a blood
or tissue sample. It involves the use
of gel electrophoresis to separate
the proteins in the sample
⁕ FAP (#66562, Cell Signaling)
⁕ Fibronectina (ab2413, abcam)
⁕ b-actina (#3700, Cell Signaling)
The qPCR data indicate the relative
expression level of target mRNA.
mRNA of the target gene, and b-actin
was used as the internal reference
control.

6. 3. Metods
Immunofluorescence
Staining
Immunohistochemical
(IHC)
Is based on the use of antibodies
(immune protein that specifically
binds to the antigen to signal for
its destruction), to detect antigens
(molecule or substance capable of
producing an immune response) in
a cut or section of biological
tissue.
A set of diagnostic techniques that use
fluorescent substances, fluorochromes,
to detect the presence of an antigen
or antibody in cells or tissues.

7. Figure 1. Transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) modulation of fibroblast
activation protein expression in human primary lung fibroblasts.
Results
4.

8. 4. Results
Figure 2. Expression of protein and mRNA of
fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in transplanted
lung tissue for patients with and without
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Figure 4. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP)
expression in lung biopsies of patients with and
without idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

9. 5. Discussion
Author What the author says
Mikolasch TA
First, the actively fibrotic phasemight be
noninvasively evaluated so early intervention with
antifibrotic drugs can be conducted. Second, those
patients with resting late ILD could also be
discriminated from their active counterparts to avoid
previous blind prescriptions of antifibrotic agents
because of drug-induced side effects
d’Alessandro M
We also found that the FAP abundance in ILD lungs
was positively associated with patient serum
concentrations of KL-6. Even though the KL-6
concentration is highly correlated with epithelial
injury and the severity of lining fibrosis
Arnold JN
Although a previous study reported that
FAP expression could be detected in a minor
subpopulation ofM2 macrophages in tumors

10. New Biomarker
Differentiation
Molecular biology research methods have helped to
find a new high-precision biomarker with which to
make early diagnosis or more efficient monitoring of
the disease.
6. Conclusions
This study has shown how methods including
molecular biology have been used to help find
differences between previously used biomarkers and
the new biomarker.

11. Enfermedades Pulmonares Intersticiales
La FAP, resulta un
metodo de diagnostico
precoz y objetivo
Enfermedad
El tejido intersticial se vuelve
rígido de tal forma que no permite
la expansión de los pulmones por
lo que la oxigenación no se da
correctamente
No habia una forma
de diagnostico que
fuera del todo eficaz
Biomarcador
FAP
Biologia Molecular
Vimos como los metodos de
investigacion fueron clave
para poder verificar los datos
De esta forma la B.M
ayudo a encontrar un
nuevo biomarcador