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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Pulmonary Aptamer Signatures in Children's Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease
Robin R Deterding1, Brandie D Wagner2, J Kirk Harris1
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; and.
Biomarker discovery in children's interstitial lung disease (chILD) using proteomic analysis of BAL fluid identified distinct protein signatures for neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI) and surfactant dysfunction, aiding diagnosis and understanding of chILD. Two NEHI endotypes were also identified.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Background:
- Children's interstitial and diffuse lung disease (chILD) requires novel biomarkers for improved diagnosis and treatment.
- Proteomic analysis using SOMAmer technology offers a promising avenue for biomarker discovery in chILD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify protein signatures in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) that differentiate children with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI), surfactant dysfunction mutations, and other chILD diagnoses from control subjects.
- To explore protein pathways and define endotypes within NEHI patients.
Main Methods:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from chILD patients and controls was analyzed for 1,129 protein levels using an aptamer assay.
- Statistical analyses (ANOVA, false discovery rate) were employed to identify significant protein differences between groups.
- Hierarchical clustering was used to define NEHI endotypes.
Main Results:
- 202 aptamers were significantly different in BALF of NEHI patients compared to controls.
- 51 aptamers were significantly different in BALF of surfactant dysfunction patients compared to controls.
- Proteins linked to pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation were found in the surfactant dysfunction group, not NEHI; two distinct NEHI endotypes were identified.
Conclusions:
- Distinct protein profiles in BALF can differentiate chILD subtypes, including NEHI and surfactant dysfunction.
- These protein signatures hold potential for advancing the understanding and management of chILD.
- Identification of NEHI endotypes suggests heterogeneity within this chILD subtype.

