Recent research has identified SPARC, an extracellular matrix protein, as a prognostic marker in various interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), particularly in unclassifiable cases. The study utilized cryobiopsy specimens and spatial transcriptomics from patients, revealing that SPARC is notably expressed in young fibrotic lung lesions while absent in older scars. Higher SPARC levels correlate with reduced overall survival, highlighting its role in predicting outcomes in ILDs. The findings also emphasize the involvement of fibroblast populations in fibrosis mechanisms.
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