Novel biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension

Objective To quantify and compare levels of potential biomarkers in neonates with (i) Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); (ii) BPD-associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH); (iii) PH without BPD; and (iv) neonates without lung disease at similar to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Study design Multiple potential biomarkers were measured in plasma samples of 90 patients using a multi-spot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical tests done included one-way ANOVA to compare levels of biomarkers between different groups. Results Higher levels of ICAM-1 were present in infants with BPD and correlated with its severity. Infants with BPD have significantly higher levels of ANG-2 and lower levels of ANG-1. Infants with PH have higher levels of: IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha. Infants with BPD-PH have significantly lower levels of MCP-1 and higher levels of IL-1 beta than infants with PH without BPD. Conclusion ICAM-1 may be used as a specific biomarker for diagnosis of BPD and its severity.