Fig. 1: Fibulin2 is highly expressed in infected bone tissues of patients with osteomyelitis.

a Schematic diagram showing the bone tissue subjected to proteomic analyses. Bone samples were collected from the areas indicated by the red rings. b Volcano plots presenting the differentially expressed proteins identified through comparisons between two groups. c Venn diagram showing the significant differences in 8 target proteins in the osteomyelitis and normal control samples and in the osteomyelitis samples before and 6–8 weeks after debridement. d Heatmap showing 8 target proteins. P98095 (blue arrow) was selected for further research. e HE and Fibulin2 (P98095) staining of normal and infected bone. HE staining showed obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and bone destruction in the sections with osteomyelitis. Moreover, locally enhanced Fibulin2 expression was captured in approximately the same infected areas.