This study investigated protein biomarkers associated with long-term lung function decline in textile workers using a 35-year longitudinal study of the Shanghai Textile Workers Cohort. Quantitative serum proteomics was performed on 453 workers, analyzing associations between forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and 907 proteins using four models and an aggregated Cauchy association test. Fifteen proteins showed potential associations, including hemoglobin subunits (HBB, HBA2) and immunoglobulin subunits (IGKV3-7, IgH). UK Biobank data validated associations of five proteins with FEV₁ decline, with some overlap in protein-protein interaction networks. Mendelian randomization showed bidirectional associations between HBB and FEV₁. These findings suggest novel potential biomarkers for long-term lung function decline in occupational populations.

Mengsheng Zhao, Liangmin Wei, Longyao Zhang, Jingqing Hang, Fengying Zhang, Li Su, Hantao Wang, Ruyang Zhang, Feng Chen, David C. Christiani, Yongyue Wei