Phosphoproteome profiling provides insight into the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury

The incidence of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common health problem in the clinic and is projected to increase in prevalence in the future. Mechanical ventilation is commonly used to provide respiratory support and has become indispensable in emergency and critical medicine. However, ventilator use can result in lung tissue damage, collectively termed ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). In the present study, phosphoprotein profiling of blood and tissue samples from ventilated and non-ventilated mice was performed and key changes in protein levels and cell signaling during VILI were identified. Activation of the PI3K/AKT and mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathways, in addition to changes in expression of cancer, inflammatory and cell-death related proteins were detected in response to mechanical ventilation. Focal adhesion-related protein levels and signaling pathways were also significantly altered in an injury model compared with control. VILI can affect patient mortality in ALI and ARDS cases, and no targeted treatment options currently exist. Identifying biomarkers and understanding the signaling pathways associated with VILI is critical for the development of future therapies.