Potential Involvement of Osteopontin in Inflammatory and Fibrotic Processes in Pulmonary Embolism and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background Inflammation and incomplete thrombus resolution leading to obstructive fibrotic remodelling are considered critical mechanisms for the development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary embolism (PE). Osteopontin (OPN) is involved in a variety of biological processes including inflammation and tissue fibrosis. Methods OPN plasma concentrations were measured in 70 CTEPH and 119 PE patients. Tissue material from 6 CTEPH patients removed during pulmonary endarterectomy and murine venous thrombi induced by subtotal ligation of the inferior vena cava in C57BL/6 mice were analysed by (immuno)histochemistry. Results CTEPH patients had higher OPN plasma…