Complement proteins detected through iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis of serum from black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus in response to experimentally induced Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus is one of the culturally important ‘4 famous domestic fishes’ in China. Recently, infectious diseases caused by Aeromonas hydrophila have drastically altered the operation of the black carp farming industry. In the present study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) were combined with mass spectrometry analysis to screen for differentially abundant black carp serum proteins in response to experimentally induced A. hydrophila infection. A total of 86 differentially abundant proteins were quantified at 24 h post-infection, including 78 down-regulated proteins and 8 up-regulated proteins. The down-regulated proteins included complement C1q subcomponent subunit C, complement factor B/C2A, complement factor B/C2B, complement C3-Q1, complement C3, and complement C4-2. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the differentially abundant proteins were mainly associated with complement and coagulation cascades (27.9%). Moreover, real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed changes in the gene expression of both C3 and B/C2A in blood cells, liver, kidney, gills, and intestines of the black carp infected with A. hydrophila. However, mRNA expression levels did not consistently correlate with the corresponding protein levels. A polyclonal antibody was prepared using a synthetic C3 peptide. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the expression of C3 in the kidney was increased with A. hydrophila infection. This work provides a useful characterization of the impact of A. hydrophila infection on the complement system of the black carp.

Download Full-text

Plasma protein expression profiles, cardiovascular disease, and religious struggles among South Asians in the MASALA study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79429-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Long H. Ngo ◽

M. Austin Argentieri ◽

Simon T. Dillon ◽

Blake Victor Kent ◽

Alka M. Kanaya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

South Asians ◽

Predictive Biomarkers ◽

Information Criteria ◽

Blood Protein ◽

Complement Factor ◽

Factor B ◽

Complement Factor B

AbstractBlood protein concentrations are clinically useful, predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite a higher burden of CVD among U.S. South Asians, no CVD-related proteomics study has been conducted in this sub-population. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between plasma protein levels and CVD incidence, and to assess the potential influence of religiosity/spirituality (R/S) on significant protein-CVD associations, in South Asians from the MASALA Study. We used a nested case–control design of 50 participants with incident CVD and 50 sex- and age-matched controls. Plasma samples were analyzed by SOMAscan for expression of 1305 proteins. Multivariable logistic regression models and model selection using Akaike Information Criteria were performed on the proteins and clinical covariates, with further effect modification analyses conducted to assess the influence of R/S measures on significant associations between proteins and incident CVD events. We identified 36 proteins that were significantly expressed differentially among CVD cases compared to matched controls. These proteins are involved in immune cell recruitment, atherosclerosis, endothelial cell differentiation, and vascularization. A final multivariable model found three proteins (Contactin-5 [CNTN5], Low affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc region receptor II-a [FCGR2A], and Complement factor B [CFB]) associated with incident CVD after adjustment for diabetes (AUC = 0.82). Religious struggles that exacerbate the adverse impact of stressful life events, significantly modified the effect of Contactin-5 and Complement factor B on risk of CVD. Our research is this first assessment of the relationship between protein concentrations and risk of CVD in a South Asian sample. Further research is needed to understand patterns of proteomic profiles across diverse ethnic communities, and the influence of resources for resiliency on proteomic signatures and ultimately, risk of CVD.

Download Full-text