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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Assessment of the Cytotoxic and Immunomodulatory Effects of Substances in Human Precision-cut Lung Slices
Published on: May 9, 2018
Research progress of KL-6 in respiratory system diseases
Yi Gao1, Tianming Du2, Lianbo Yang3
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Abstract:
This article comprehensively elucidates the discovery of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), its structural features, functional mechanisms, and the current research status in various respiratory system diseases. Discovered in 1985, KL-6 was initially considered a tumor marker, but its elevated levels in interstitial lung disease (ILD) led to its recognition as a relevant serum marker for ILD. KL-6 is primarily produced by type 2 alveolar epithelial cell regeneration. Over the past 30 years since the discovery of KL-6, the number of related research papers has steadily increased annually. Following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a sudden surge in relevant literature. Despite KL-6's potential as a biomarker, its value in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis varies across different respiratory diseases, including ILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), COVID-19, and lung cancer. Therefore, as an important serum biomarker in respiratory system diseases, the value of KL-6 still requires further investigation.
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