Higher Concentrations of Osteopontin in CTEPH vs Pulmonary Embolism

Patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) had increased plasma concentrations of osteopontin, according to the results of a study published in the journal Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

Plasma osteopontin concentrations were measured from plasma samples of patients with CTEPH or pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, patient tissue samples obtained during pulmonary endarterectomy were compared with murine thrombi using immunohistologic analysis.

Among the total study population, 70 patients had confirmed CTEPH and 119 had pulmonary embolism. Those with CTEPH had plasma concentrations of osteopontin ranging from 30.2 to 429.5 ng/mL (median, 106.9 ng/mL) while patients with pulmonary embolism had osteopontin concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 652.9 ng/mL (median, 90.4 ng/mL). The higher concentration in patients with CTEPH correlated with age (P =.004), pulmonary vascular resistance (P =.048), cardiac output P =.011), and right ventricular dysfunction (P <.001).Furthermore, osteopontin was predominantly expressed in areas of fibrotic remodeling.

“The results of the present observational translational study point to a possible involvement of [osteopontin] in the pathogenesis of CTEPH,” the researchers wrote. “Observed elevated plasma concentrations of [osteopontin] in CTEPH patients…may indicate a role of [osteopontin] in fibrotic remodeling.”

Reference

Kölmel S, Hobohm L, Käberich A, et al. Potential involvement of osteopontin in inflammatory and fibrotic processes in pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension [published June 10, 2019]. Thromb Haemost. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1692174