Multiomic study of skin, peripheral blood, and serum: is serum proteome a reflection of disease process at the end-organ level in systemic sclerosis?

Background Serum proteins can be readily assessed during routine clinical care. However, it is unclear to what extent serum proteins reflect the molecular dysregulations of peripheral blood cells (PBCs) or affected end-organs in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We conducted a multiomic comparative analysis of SSc serum profile, PBC, and skin gene expression in concurrently collected samples. Methods Global gene expression profiling was carried out in skin and PBC samples obtained from 49 SSc patients enrolled in the GENISOS observational cohort and 25 unaffected controls. Levels of 911 proteins were determined by Olink Proximity Extension Assay in concurrently collected serum samples. Results Both SSc PBC and skin transcriptomes showed a prominent type I interferon signature. The examination of SSc serum profile revealed an upregulation of proteins involved in pro-fibrotic homing and extravasation, as well as extracellular matrix components/modulators. Notably, several soluble receptor proteins such as EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, VEGFR2, TGFBR3, and PDGF-Rα were downregulated. Thirty-nine proteins correlated with severity of SSc skin disease. The differential expression of serum protein in SSc vs. control comparison significantly correlated with the differential expression of corresponding transcripts in skin but not in PBCs. Moreover, the differentially expressed serum proteins were significantly more connected to the Well-Associated-Proteins in the skin than PBC gene expression dataset. The assessment of the concordance of between-sample similarities revealed that the molecular profile of serum proteins and skin gene expression data were significantly concordant in patients with SSc but not in healthy controls. Conclusions SSc serum protein profile shows an upregulation of profibrotic cytokines and a downregulation of soluble EGF and other key receptors. Our multilevel comparative analysis indicates that the serum protein profile in SSc correlates more closely with molecular dysregulations of skin than PBCs and might serve as a reflection of disease severity at the end-organ level.

Changes in the Serum Protein Electrophoresis Profile in Dogs With Pyometra

Serum proteins are involved in the regulation of inflammation, and therefore, serum protein profiling provides important insights in diverse inflammatory reactions. Accordingly, concentrations of single APPs, such as the C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin (Hp), have been described as indicators of inflammatory response in canine pyometra. However, there is little information regarding the overall serum protein profile obtained by SPE in canine pyometra. The present study was thus aimed to identify changes in the serum protein profile to monitor inflammation in dogs with pyometra using serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), in addition to the analysis of the concentration of single acute phase proteins (APPs). By SPE analysis, decreased levels of albumin and elevated levels of α2-globulin and β-globulin were noted in dogs with pyometra. In addition, the concentration of APPs, including the C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin (Hp), were also elevated in dogs with pyometra. The present study provides fundamental data for inflammatory indicators of canine pyometra.

GENETIC AND DIURNAL VARIATIONS IN THE SERUM PROTEIN PROFILE OF YEARLING CAPRINE MALES

12 GOATS comprising 4 of each of three breeds, namely West African Dwarf, Red Sokoto and crossbreds (West African Dwarf x Saanen), were bled alternately in the mornings and afternoons to evaluate their serum protein profile. The three breeds were similar in total serum proteins but not in protein profile. The crossbred goats had more albumin than the purebreds. Alpha and beta globulins occurred in equal proportions in the West African Dwarf and crossbred goats although the latter were extremely low in gamma globulins. The results imply a higher growth rate and susceptibility to infection of the crossbred goats and suggest the need for greater husbandry care by them.

DELIVERY ROUTE OF CHAMOMILE ON THE GROWTH AND SUBSEQUENT PHYSIOLOGY OF BROILER CHICKENS UNDER E. COLI CHALLENGE

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels (5g/kg ,10 g/kg or litter) of chamomile flower in feed and water on performance and gut health of broiler chickens under E. coli challenge. A total of 480-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to 12 treatments each replicated 4 times with 10 birds. Oral inoculation with E. coli was on days 8 and 9 of birds age. At day 10 and 35, the interaction (p<0.05) between the experimental factors decreased the feed intake in the challenged birds supplemented with chamomile. At day 10, unchallenged birds were heavier (p<0.05) than the challenged groups. Up to 35 days, birds on antibiotics (zinc bacitracin 360g/kg) and chamomile containing diets were heavier than other groups. The FCR improved in chamomile supplemented birds in both challenge conditions. Challenged birds had poorer FCR than unchallenged birds. The FCR improved in antibiotics and chamomile supplemented birds than those on control diets. The intestinal pH, serum lipid content decreased and serum protein profile improved by chamomile supplementation. The interaction of the experimental factors increased (p<0.0001) protein digestibility in the unchallenged birds supplemented with chamomile in their diets. Protein digestibility improved (p<0.001) in chamomile supplemented birds. The interaction of the experimental factors increased fat digestibility (p<0.0001) in the challenged birds on the lower level of dietary chamomile. Fat digestibility was higher (p<0.0001) but protein digestibility and villi were lower in the challenged birds than unchallenged groups. Longer villi were observed in the unchallenged birds on the lower level of chamomile in their drinking water and those on the highest level of dietary chamomile