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Olfactomedin 4 Is a Biomarker for the Severity of Infectious Diseases

Wenli Liu1, Griffin P Rodgers1

  • 1Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|March 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4), a neutrophil protein, shows increased expression during infections like malaria and viral illnesses. Higher OLFM4 levels correlate with disease severity and poorer outcomes in sepsis patients, highlighting its potential as an infectious disease biomarker.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Biomarkers are crucial for managing infectious diseases.
  • Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) is a protein found in neutrophils.
  • Recent research explores OLFM4's role in immunity and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in understanding olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) in neutrophil biology.
  • To evaluate OLFM4 as a potential biomarker for infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on OLFM4 in neutrophil biology and infectious diseases.
  • Analysis of OLFM4 expression patterns in various infections (viral, bacterial, malaria).
  • Correlation assessment of OLFM4 levels with disease severity and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • OLFM4 is a neutrophil-specific protein upregulated in viral, bacterial, and malaria infections.
  • OLFM4 plays a role in innate immunity against bacterial infections.
  • Elevated OLFM4 expression correlates with increased disease severity in dengue, RSV, and malaria.
  • Higher OLFM4 levels in sepsis patients indicate poorer outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) is a promising biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring certain infectious diseases.
  • OLFM4's role in innate immunity suggests potential as a therapeutic target.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate OLFM4's clinical utility.
Keywords:
bacteriainfectious diseaseolfactomedin 4sepsisvirus

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