Biomarker discovery in asthma and COPD: Application of proteomics techniques in human and mice

The use of advanced proteomics approaches in the search for biomarkers in chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, is rather limited. Asthma and COPD are complex disorders, which can be subdivided into several phenotypes. This results in a heterogeneity of differential expressed biological molecules. Furthermore, genetic differences between animals and humans make ‘translation’ of possible biomarkers challenging. Yet, the improved sensitivity and high throughput of proteomic techniques could be an important asset for (new) protein biomarker discovery in either human or animal models. We have reviewed the literature that reported the use of different proteomics approaches performed on samples obtained from humans and murine models in asthma and COPD research for the discovery of new biomarkers of diseases, biomarkers of sensitization or for the refinement of treatment. There is an increasing trend in the use of proteomics to explore new biomarkers of asthma or COPD. Although several murine models have been developed to study these lung diseases, and proteomics studies have been performed, ‘translation’ of identified candidate biomarkers into clinical studies is often lacking.