Osteopontin and fibronectin in lung tissue, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of dogs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and control dogs

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) affects West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). Osteopontin (SPP1) and fibronectin (FN1) are associated with human IPF and are overexpressed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) macrophages in dogs with IPF. Objective To investigate the value of these proteins as biomarkers of IPF. Animals West Highland white terriers (WHWTs) with IPF, control WHWTs, and terriers. Methods Cross‐sectional observational study. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize SPP1 and FN1 in lung tissue. Serum and BALF SPP1 and FN1 concentrations were measured using canine ELISA kits and compared between groups. Results Osteopontin stained ciliated epithelial cells, smooth muscular cells, and macrophages of all included dogs, and type‐II pneumocytes and extracellular matrix of all 12 diseased WHWTs, 4/6 control WHWTs, and none of the 3 terriers. Osteopontin serum concentration was higher in diseased WHWTs (n = 22; 2.15 ng/mL [0.74‐5.30]) compared with control WHWTs (n = 13; 0.63 ng/mL [0.41‐1.63]; P = .005) and terriers (n = 15; 0.31 ng/mL [0.19‐0.51]; P < .0001), and in control WHWTs compared with terriers (P = .005). Osteopontin BALF concentrations were higher in diseased (0.27 ng/mL [0.14‐0.43]) and control WHWTs (0.25 ng/mL [0.14‐0.40]), compared with terriers (0.02 ng/mL [0.01‐0.08]; P < .0001 and P = .003, respectively). Fibronectin (FN1) serum concentrations were lower in diseased dogs (1.03 ng/mL [0.35‐1.48]) and control WHWTs (0.61 ng/mL [0.24‐0.65]) compared with terriers (2.72 ng/mL [0.15‐5.21]; P < .0001 and P = .0001, respectively). There was no difference in FN1 immunostaining and FN1 BALF concentrations between groups. Conclusions Results suggest that SPP1 is involved in pathogenesis of IPF and could predispose that breed to the disease. Osteopontin serum concentration could serve as a diagnostic biomarker of IPF.