Proteomics and Metabolomics Analyses Reveal a Dynamic Landscape of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis: An Insight into Disease Progression

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) is characterized by chronic inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. The key factor contributing to the incurability of CWP is the unclear pathogenesis. This study explored the characteristic changes in proteomics and metabolomics of early and advanced CWP patients through proteomics and metabolomics techniques. Proteomics identified proteins that change with the progression of CWP, with significant enrichment in the TGF-β signaling pathway and autoimmune disease pathways. Metabolomics revealed the metabolic characteristics of CWP at different stages. These metabolites mainly include changes in amino acid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, and related metabolites. Integrated analysis found that ABC transporters are a shared pathway among the three groups, and ABCD2 is involved in the ABC transporter pathway. In the subsequent independent sample verification analysis, consistent with proteomics experiments, compared to the CM group, FMOD expression level was upregulated in the NIC group. TFR expression level was consistently downregulated in both the IC and NIC groups. Additionally, ABCD2 increased in the IC group but decreased in the NIC group. In summary, this study revealed the metabolic characteristics of CWP at different stages. These findings may provide valuable insights for the early prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of CWP.