scholarly journals Serum Protein Profiling Reveals a Landscape of Inflammation and Immune Signaling in Early-stage COVID-19 Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 1749-1759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Hou ◽  
Xiaomei Zhang ◽  
Xian Wu ◽  
Minya Lu ◽  
Dan Wang ◽  
...  

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infection and threating the human lives in the world. The elevation of cytokines in blood is crucial to induce cytokine storm and immunosuppression in the transition of severity in COVID-19 patients. However, the comprehensive changes of serum proteins in COVID-19 patients throughout the SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. In this work, we developed a high-density antibody microarray and performed an in-depth proteomics analysis of serum samples collected from early COVID-19 (n = 15) and influenza (n = 13) patients. We identified a large set of differentially expressed proteins (n = 132) that participate in a landscape of inflammation and immune signaling related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the significant correlations of neutrophil and lymphocyte with the CCL2 and CXCL10 mediated cytokine signaling pathways was identified. These information are valuable for the understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis, identification of biomarkers and development of the optimal anti-inflammation therapy.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Hou ◽  
Xiaomei Zhang ◽  
Xian Wu ◽  
Minya Lu ◽  
Dan Wang ◽  
...  

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infection and threating the human lives in the world. The elevation of cytokines in blood is crucial to induce cytokine storm and immunosuppression in the transition of severity in COVID-19 patients. However, the comprehensive changes of serum proteins in COVID-19 patients throughout the SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. In this work, we developed a high-density antibody microarray and performed an in-depth proteomics analysis of serum samples collected from early COVID-19 (n=15) and influenza (n=13) patients. We identified a large set of differentially expressed proteins (n=125) that participate in a landscape of inflammation and immune signaling related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the significant correlations of neutrophil and lymphocyte with the CCL2 and CXCL10 mediated cytokine signaling pathways was identified. These information are valuable for the understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis, identification of biomarkers and development of the optimal anti-inflammation therapy.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. I. Jin ◽  
H. R. Lee ◽  
H. R. Kim ◽  
H. J. Lee ◽  
J. T. Yoon ◽  
...  

To identify early pregnancy-specific serum proteins in bovine, we performed proteomics analysis using blood serum samples of pregnant and non-pregnant Holstein dairy cattle Days 21 and 35 after AI. A total of eight pregnant and eight non-pregnant cattle were used for collection of the blood samples. The global proteomics approach was exploited by the use of 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to sort out pregnancy-specific proteins. Serum proteins within isoelectric point ranges of 4.0 to 7.0, 6.0 to 9.0, and 5.5 to 6.7 were analyzed separately by 2-D electrophoresis with three replications of each sample. The stained gels were scanned and calibrated at an optical resolution of 63.5 �m/pixel using a GS-710 imaging densitometer (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA, USA). A total of approximately 1200 spots were detected in 2-D gels stained with Coomassie-blue. In the comparison of serum samples from pregnant and non-pregnant cattle, nine pregnancy-specific spots were detected unanimously in Day 21 and Day 35 serum samples. Pregnancy-specific proteins were identified as transferrin, albumin, IgG2a heavy chain constant region, and immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain variable region by means of MALDI-TOF-MS (PerSeptive Biosystems, Framingham, MA, USA). Even though the identified spots were abundant serum proteins, their molecular weights and pI values were different from those of the main serum proteins. Most proteins identified in this analysis appeared to be related with pregnancy-specific subunits or fragments of transferrin, albumin, and IgG. One of the pregnancy-specific proteins, transferrin, is known to be related to iron transport during pregnancy. Western blot analysis using polyclonal anti-transferrin antibody revealed specific transferrin expression in the serum samples from the pregnant cattle but no detectable expression in the serum samples from the non-pregnant cattle. Our results revealed composite profiles of key proteins involved in early pregnancy and suggest the potential use of identified proteins to detect early pregnancy in bovine.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4871-4871
Author(s):  
Azim M. Mohamedali ◽  
Satyaji Sahu ◽  
Nicholas Shaun B. Thomas ◽  
Ghulam J. Mufti

Abstract We sought to identify additional biomarkers for chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) that could be an aid to early diagnosis and also yield novel antigens for immunotherapy. To this end, we screened patient serum samples at presentation against hematologically normal controls as well as patients with neutrophilia using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization technology (SELDI; Ciphergen ProteinChip series 4000). A total of 84 retrospective and prospective serum samples were analysed: presentation −28, reactive neutrophilia (>15x109 neutrophils/L) − 24 and hematopoietic normal controls − 33. Patients were initially screened by routine cytogenetics and in some cases with qPCR for the BCR-ABL breakpoint. The sera samples were evaluated on 4 different array surfaces and the Immobilised Metal Affinity (IMAC) array was chosen as it bound serum proteins that distinguished CML from normal controls. As little as 1 μl serum was sufficient for each analysis. Biomarker artefacts due to variations in sample collection procedures were ruled out by analysing sera (n=4) from each group at the time of collection and 3 and 6 hours post collection. There were no significant differences in any of the biomarkers at any of the time points. The spectrum of proteins obtained from each of the 84 serum samples was averaged from duplicate runs per experiment. Using the Ciphergen Express program, a panel of 5 proteins were significantly differentially expressed in CML versus the reactive neutrophilia and normal hematopoietic controls (p<0.001). These proteins were identified by a combination of purification techniques using Q HyperD F columns, desalting using reverse phase C-18 beads and isolating the biomarker by 1D-SDS PAGE. The biomarkers were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and confirmed by Tandem MS sequencing. These were Albumin fragment − 2.8Kd (p< 3.5 x 10−5, ROC=0.78), Fibrinogen fragments − 5.3Kd (p< 6.25 x 10−10, ROC=0.07) and 5.9Kd (p< 9.6 x 10−8, ROC=0.14), Complement 3a precursor fragment − 8.9Kd (p< 0.0015, ROC= 0.70), Platelet basic protein precursor − 10.2Kd (p< 1.5 x 10−4, ROC=0.73) and Lysozyme − 14.6Kd (p=0, ROC=0.92). Biomarkers 3, 4 and 5 were also verified by antibody capture experiments using NP-20 arrays. In a blinded test set of sera, CML, normal and neutrophilia samples were correctly classified 27/28 (96%), 32/32 (100%), 20/24 (83%) respectively using a combination of the 5.3Kd, 10.2 Kd and the 14.6 Kd markers (Biomaker Pattern software). The algorithm correctly classified 21 new samples as CML (7/8) and control (10/13). The 1/8 CML was misclassified for technical reasons. Therefore, a small number of serum biomarkers in as little as 1 μl serum can be used to distinguish between patients with CML and neutrophilia or hematopoietic normal controls. Similar analyses may be applicable to other more heterogeneous hematological malignancies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
He-Qing Wang ◽  
Hang Yang ◽  
Qian Tang ◽  
Yi-Chen Gong ◽  
Yuan-Hao Fu ◽  
...  

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is an emergent vascular disease. Currently, its diagnosis depends on clinical and radiological investigations but lacking of serum biomarkers. In this study, we aimed to identify potential serum biomarkers for AAD using label-free proteomics approach. A total of 90 serum samples were collected from three groups: patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD, n=30), patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n=30), and healthy controls (n=30), and the first four samples from each group were selected for label-free proteomics analysis. Using label-free approach, a total of 22 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the serum samples of the AAD group, of which 15 were upregulated and 7 were downregulated as compared to the AMI and healthy control groups. The most prominent increased protein was vinculin, which was selected to validate in total samples. The level of vinculin was significantly elevated in AAD patients (15.8 ng/ml, IQR: 9.3-19.9 ng/ml) than that in AMI patients (8.6 ng/ml, IQR:5.3-11.4 ng/ml) and healthy volunteers (5.3 ng/ml, IQR:2.8-7.6 ng/ml), P<0.0001. Furthermore, the concentration of vinculin both increased in type A and B dissection. At the early stage of AAD, vinculin maintained a high level to 48 hours compared with that of AMI. Our study demonstrated that vinculin may play a role in the early diagnosis of AAD.


2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary F Lopez ◽  
Alvydas Mikulskis ◽  
Scott Kuzdzal ◽  
Eva Golenko ◽  
Emanuel F Petricoin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Most cases of ovarian cancer are detected at later stages when the 5-year survival is ∼15%, but 5-year survival approaches 90% when the cancer is detected early (stage I). To use mass spectrometry (MS) of serum proteins for early detection, a seamless workflow is needed that provides an opportunity for rapid profiling along with direct identification of the underpinning ions. Methods: We used carrier protein–bound affinity enrichment of serum samples directly coupled with MALDI orthagonal TOF MS profiling to rapidly search for potential ion signatures that contained discriminatory power. These ions were subsequently directly subjected to tandem MS for sequence identification. Results: We discovered several biomarker panels that enabled differentiation of stage I ovarian cancer from unaffected (age-matched) patients with no evidence of ovarian cancer, with positive results in &gt;93% of samples from patients with disease-negative results and in 97% of disease-free controls. The carrier protein–based approach identified additional protein fragments, many from low-abundance proteins or proteins not previously seen in serum. Conclusions: This workflow system using a highly reproducible, high-resolution MALDI-TOF platform enables rapid enrichment and profiling of large numbers of clinical samples for discovery of ion signatures and integration of direct sequencing and identification of the ions without need for additional offline, time-consuming purification strategies.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 117727190700200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Su ◽  
Jennifer Lang ◽  
Ashutosh Kumar ◽  
Carey Ng ◽  
Brian Hsieh ◽  
...  

Objective We have previously analyzed protein profiles using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption and Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS) [Kozak et al. 2003, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100:12343–8] and identified 3 differentially expressed serum proteins for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OC) [Kozak et al. 2005, Proteomics, 5:4589–96], namely, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), transthyretin (TTR) and transferin (TF). The objective of the present study is to determine the efficacy of the three OC biomarkers for the detection of early stage (ES) OC, in direct comparison to CA125. Methods The levels of CA125, apoA-I, TTR and TF were measured in 392 serum samples [82 women with normal ovaries (N), 24 women with benign ovarian tumors (B), 85 women with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP), 126 women with early stage ovarian cancer (ESOC), and 75 women with late stage ovarian cancer (LSOC)], obtained through the GOG and Cooperative Human Tissue Network. Following statistical analysis, multivariate regression models were built to evaluate the utility of the three OC markers in early detection. Results Multiple logistic regression models (MLRM) utilizing all biomarker values (CA125, TTR, TF and apoA-I) from all histological subtypes (serous, mucinous, and endometrioid adenocarcinoma) distinguished normal samples from LMP with 91% sensitivity (specificity 92%), and normal samples from ESOC with a sensitivity of 89% (specificity 92%). MLRM, utilizing values of all four markers from only the mucinous histological subtype showed that collectively, CA125, TTR, TF and apoA-I, were able to distinguish normal samples from mucinous LMP with 90% sensitivity, and further distinguished normal samples from early stage mucinous ovarian cancer with a sensitivity of 95%. In contrast, in serum samples from patients with mucinous tumors, CA125 alone was able to distinguish normal samples from LMP and early stage ovarian cancer with a sensitivity of only 46% and 47%, respectively. Furthermore, collectively, apoA-I, TTR and TF (excluding CA-125) distinguished i) normal samples from samples representing all histopathologic subtypes of LMP, with a sensitivity of 73%, ii) normal samples from ESOC with a sensitivity of 84% and iii) normal samples from LSOC with a sensitivity of 97%. More strikingly, the sensitivity in distinguishing normal versus mucinous ESOC, utilizing apoA-I, TF and TTR (CA-125 excluded), was 95% (specificity 86%; AUC 95%). Conclusions These results suggest that the biomarker panel consisting of apoA-I, TTR and TF may significantly improve early detection of OC.


2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Pietrowska ◽  
Karol Jelonek ◽  
Malwina Michalak ◽  
Małgorzata Roś ◽  
Paweł Rodziewicz ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to perform comparative analysis of serum from patients with different stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the three complementary proteomic approaches to identify proteome components associated with the progression of cancer. Serum samples were collected before any treatment from 200 patients with NSCLC, including 103 early stage, 64 locally advanced and 33 metastatic cancer samples, and from 200 donors without malignancy. The low-molecular-weight fraction of serum proteome was MALDI-profiled in all samples. Serum proteins were characterized using 2D-PAGE and LC-MS/MS approaches in a representative group of 30 donors. Several significant differences were detected between serum samples collected from patients with early stage cancer and patients with locally advanced cancer, as well as between patients with metastatic cancer and patients with local disease. Of note, serum components discriminating samples from early stage cancer and healthy persons were also detected. In general, about 70 differentiating serum proteins were identified, including inflammatory and acute phase proteins already reported to be associated with the progression of lung cancer (serum amyloid A or haptoglobin). Several differentiating proteins, including apolipoprotein H or apolipoprotein A1, were not previously associated with NSCLC. No significant differences in patterns of serum proteome components were detected between patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, we identified the biomarker candidates with potential importance for molecular proteomic staging of NSCLC. Additionally, several serum proteome components revealed their potential applicability in early detection of the lung cancer.


2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 4396-4405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Rogers ◽  
Shane V. Abdunnur ◽  
John V. McDowell ◽  
Richard T. Marconi

ABSTRACT Borrelia burgdorferi CspZ (BBH06/BbCRASP-2) binds the complement regulatory protein factor H (FH) and additional unidentified serum proteins. The goals of this study were to assess the ligand binding capability of CspZ orthologs derived from an extensive panel of human Lyme disease isolates and to further define the molecular basis of the interaction between FH and CspZ. While most B. burgdorferi CspZ orthologs analyzed bound FH, specific, naturally occurring polymorphisms, most of which clustered in a specific loop domain of CspZ, prevented FH binding in some orthologs. Sequence analyses also revealed the existence of CspZ phyletic groups that correlate with FH binding and with the relationships inferred from ribosomal spacer types (RSTs). CspZ type 1 (RST1) and type 3 (RST3) strains bind FH, while CspZ type 2 (RST2) strains do not. Antibody responses to CspZ were also assessed. Anti-CspZ antibodies were detected in mice by week 2 of infection, indicating that there was expression during early-stage infection. Analyses of sera collected from infected mice suggested that CspZ production continued over the course of long-term infection as the antibody titer increased over time. While antibody to CspZ was detected in several human Lyme disease serum samples, the response was not universal, and the titers were generally low. Vaccination studies with mice demonstrated that while CspZ is immunogenic, it does not elicit an antibody that is protective or that inhibits dissemination. The data presented here provide significant new insight into the interaction between CspZ and FH and suggest that there is a correlation between CspZ production and dissemination. However, in spite of its possible contributory role in pathogenesis, the immunological analyses indicated that CspZ is likely to have limited potential as a diagnostic marker and vaccine candidate for Lyme disease.


2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Jonsson ◽  
Joyce Carlson ◽  
Jan-Olof Jeppsson ◽  
Per Simonsson

Abstract Background: Electrophoresis of serum samples allows detection of monoclonal gammopathies indicative of multiple myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and amyloidosis. Present methods of high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis (HRAGE) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) are manual and labor-intensive. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) allows rapid automated protein separation and produces digital absorbance data, appropriate as input for a computerized decision support system. Methods: Using the Beckman Paragon CZE 2000 instrument, we analyzed 711 routine clinical samples, including 95 monoclonal components (MCs) and 9 cases of Bence Jones myeloma, in both the CZE and HRAGE systems. Mathematical algorithms developed for the detection of monoclonal immunoglobulins (MCs) in the γ- and β-regions of the electropherogram were tested on the entire material. Additional algorithms evaluating oligoclonality and polyclonal concentrations of immunoglobulins were also tested. Results: CZE electropherograms corresponded well with HRAGE. Only one IgG MC of 1 g/L, visible on HRAGE, was not visible after CZE. Algorithms detected 94 of 95 MCs (98.9%) and 100% of those visible after CZE. Of 607 samples lacking an MC on HRAGE, only 3 were identified by the algorithms (specificity, 99%). Algorithms evaluating total gammaglobulinemia and oligoclonality also identified several cases of Bence Jones myeloma. Conclusions: The use of capillary electrophoresis provides a modern, rapid, and cost-effective method of analyzing serum proteins. The additional option of computerized decision support, which provides rapid and standardized interpretations, should increase the clinical availability and usefulness of protein analyses in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3392
Author(s):  
Joeri Lambrecht ◽  
Mustafa Porsch-Özçürümez ◽  
Jan Best ◽  
Fabian Jost-Brinkmann ◽  
Christoph Roderburg ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Surveillance of at-risk patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly necessary, as curative treatment options are only feasible in early disease stages. However, to date, screening of patients with liver cirrhosis for HCC mostly relies on suboptimal ultrasound-mediated evaluation and α-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement. Therefore, we sought to develop a novel and blood-based scoring tool for the identification of early-stage HCC. (2) Methods: Serum samples from 267 patients with liver cirrhosis, including 122 patients with HCC and 145 without, were collected. Expression levels of soluble platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (sPDGFRβ) and routine clinical parameters were evaluated, and then utilized in logistic regression analysis. (3) Results: We developed a novel serological scoring tool, the APAC score, consisting of the parameters age, sPDGFRβ, AFP, and creatinine, which identified patients with HCC in a cirrhotic population with an AUC of 0.9503, which was significantly better than the GALAD score (AUC: 0.9000, p = 0.0031). Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of the APAC score was independent of disease etiology, including alcohol (AUC: 0.9317), viral infection (AUC: 0.9561), and NAFLD (AUC: 0.9545). For the detection of patients with (very) early (BCLC 0/A) HCC stage or within Milan criteria, the APAC score achieved an AUC of 0.9317 (sensitivity: 85.2%, specificity: 89.2%) and 0.9488 (sensitivity: 91.1%, specificity 85.3%), respectively. (4) Conclusions: The APAC score is a novel and highly accurate serological tool for the identification of HCC, especially for early stages. It is superior to the currently proposed blood-based algorithms, and has the potential to improve surveillance of the at-risk population.


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