Some fundamental and technical aspects of the quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical drugs by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Quantification of pharmaceutical compounds in tissue and plasma samples using selective ion accumulation with multiple mass isolation windows

Quantification of pharmaceutical compounds using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is an alternative to traditional liquid chromatography (LC)-MS techniques. Benefits of MALDI-based approaches include rapid analysis times for liquid samples and imaging mass spectrometry capabilities for tissue samples. As in most quantification experiments, the use of internal standards can compensate for spot-to-spot and shot-to-shot variability associated with MALDI sampling. However, the lack of chromatographic separation in traditional MALDI analyses results in diminished peak capacity due to the chemical noise background, which can be detrimental to the dynamic range and limit of detection of these approaches. These issues can be mitigated by using a hybrid mass spectrometer equipped with a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) that can be used to fractionate ions based on their mass-to-charge ratios. When the masses of the analytes and internal standards are sufficiently disparate in mass, it can be beneficial to effect multiple narrow mass isolation windows using the QMF, as opposed to a single wide mass isolation window, to minimize chemical noise while allowing for internal standard normalization. Herein, we demonstrate a MALDI MS quantification workflow incorporating multiple sequential mass isolation windows enabled on a QMF, which divides the total number of MALDI laser shots into multiple segments (i.e., one segment for each mass isolation window). This approach is illustrated through the quantitative analysis of the pharmaceutical compound enalapril in human plasma samples as well as the simultaneous quantification of three pharmaceutical compounds (enalapril, ramipril, and verapamil). Results show a decrease in the limit of detection, relative standard deviations below 10%, and accuracy above 85% for drug quantification using multiple mass isolation windows. This approach has also been applied to the quantification of enalapril in brain tissue from a rat dosed in vitro. The average concentration of enalapril determined by imaging mass spectrometry is in agreement with the concentration determined by LC-MS, giving an accuracy of 104%.

Applications of stable isotopes in MALDI imaging: current approaches and an eye on the future

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) is now an established imaging modality with particular utility in the study of biological, biomedical and pathological processes. In the first instance, the use of stable isotopically labelled (SIL) compounds in MALDI-IMS has addressed technical barriers to increase the accuracy and versatility of this technique. This has undoubtedly enhanced our ability to interpret the two-dimensional ion intensity distributions produced from biological tissue sections. Furthermore, studies using delivery of SIL compounds to live tissues have begun to decipher cell, tissue and inter-tissue metabolism while maintaining spatial resolution. Here, we review both the technical and biological applications of SIL compounds in MALDI-IMS, before using the uptake and metabolism of glucose in bovine ocular lens tissue to illustrate the current limitations of SIL compound use in MALDI-IMS. Finally, we highlight recent instrumentation advances that may further enhance our ability to use SIL compounds in MALDI-IMS to understand biological and pathological processes. Graphical Abstract.

Characterization of 6-bromoferulic acid as a novel common-use matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Ferulic acid (FA) is a standard matrix used for analyzing proteins. In this study, the ability of a halogenated FA to serve as an effective MALDI matrix was investigated. Various halogenated FAs were synthesized, and the characteristics and performance of each were compared with those of the standard matrices α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and 2,5-dihydrobenzoic acid (DHBA).

METHODS

The abilities of 6-bromoferulic acid (6-BFA), ferulic acid (FA), and eight other halogenated FA derivatives to ionize eight synthetic peptides were examined. Absorption measurements, MM2 structure optimizations, and proton affinity (PA) calculations were also performed for 6-BFA and FA. The suitabilities of these compounds as matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) for lipids, sugar chains, polymers, cyanocobalamin, synthetic peptides, and tryptic peptides originating from two types of serum proteins were also tested.

RESULTS

The 6-position of FA was found to be the best site for introducing a bromine because the generated compound allowed facile detection of cyanocobalamin and several peptides. 6-BFA exhibited good sensitivity for large peptides (3-5 kDa) and peptides containing acidic amino acids or proline. 6-BFA was also shown to be a suitable matrix for tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis when using MALDI time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) with a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) system.

CONCLUSIONS

The properties of 6-BFA as a MALDI matrix differed from those of DHBA and CHCA. 6-BFA appears to be a useful matrix for de novo sequencing using MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS.

Preparation and comparison of Fe3O4@graphene oxide nanoclusters for analysis of glimepiride in urine by surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Graphene oxide (GO) has the ability to absorb certain compounds, and it can be modified with functional groups for different purposes; for instance, iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles can be used to concentrate analyte by a magnet. Recently, many kinds of GO have been developed, such as single-layer GO (SLGO), two-to-four layers of GO (i.e., few-layer GO, FLGO^2-4), and four-to-eight layers of GO (i.e., multi-layer GO, MLGO^4-8). However, the abilities of these layered GO coated with IO nanoparticles have not been investigated. In this study, we conducted a novel analysis of glimepiride by using layered GO-coated magnetic clusters of IO nanoparticles that were synthesized through a simple and facile emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The methodology is based on (i) enrichment of glimepiride using the layered GO-coated magnetic clusters of IO nanoparticles (IO@SLGO, IO@FLGO^2-4, and IO@MLGO^4-8), and (ii) rapid determination using magnetic cluster-based surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOFMS). We found that IO@MLGO^4-8, the magnetic cluster with the greatest number of GO layers, had the best limit of detection (28.6 pmol/μL for glimepiride). The number of GO layers played a significant role in increasing the sensitivity of the SALDI-MS, indicating that the size of GO in the magnetic clusters contributed to the desorption/ionization efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to enrich glimepiride using magnetic clusters of different GO types and to show that the glimepiride in HLB purified urine adsorbed by magnetic clusters can be analyzed by SALDI-TOFMS.

A simple MALDI target plate with channel design to improve detection sensitivity and reproducibility for quantitative analysis of biomolecules

Overcoming the detrimental effects of sweet spots during crystallization is an important step to improve the quantitative abilities of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. In this study, we introduce MALDI targets, which exhibit a channel design to reduce sweet spot phenomena and improve reproducibility. The size of the channels was 3.0 mm in length, 0.35 mm in depth, and 0.40 mm in width, adjusted to the width of the implemented laser beam. For sample deposition, the matrix/sample mixture was homogenously deposited into the channels using capillary action. To demonstrate the proof-of-principle, the novel plates were used for the quantification of acetyl-L-carnitine in human blood plasma using a combined standard addition and isotope dilution method. The results showed that the reproducibility of acetyl-L-carnitine detection was highly improved over a conventional MALDI-MS assay, with RSD values of less than 5.9% in comparison with 15.6% using the regular MALDI method. The limits of quantification using the new plates were lowered approximately two-fold in comparison with a standard rastering approach on a smooth stainless-steel plate. Matrix effects were also assessed and shown to be negligible. The new assay was subsequently applied to the quantification of acetyl-L-carnitine in human plasma samples.

Rapid Quantification of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 in Human Serum by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

LC-MS/MS is widely utilized today for quantification of vitamin D in biological fluids. Mass spectrometric assays for vitamin D require very careful method optimization for precise and interference-free, accurate analyses however. Here, we explore chemical derivatization and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) as a rapid alternative for quantitative measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ in human serum, and compare it to results from LC-MS/MS. The method implemented an automated imaging step of each MALDI spot, to locate areas of high intensity, avoid sweet spot phenomena, and thus improve precision. There was no statistically significant difference in vitamin D quantification between the MALDI-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS: mean ± standard deviation for MALDI-MS-29.4 ± 10.3 ng/mL-versus LC-MS/MS-30.3 ± 11.2 ng/mL (P = 0.128)-for the sum of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D epimers. The MALDI-based assay avoided time-consuming chromatographic separation steps and was thus much faster than the LC-MS/MS assay. It also consumed less sample, required no organic solvents, and was readily automated. In this proof-of-concept study, MALDI-MS readily demonstrated its potential for mass spectrometric quantification of vitamin D compounds in biological fluids. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Advances in mass spectrometry-based metabolomics for investigation of metabolites

Metabolomics is the systematic study of all the metabolites present within a biological system, which consists of a mass of molecules, having a variety of physical and chemical properties and existing over an extensive dynamic range in biological samples. Diverse analytical techniques are needed to achieve higher coverage of metabolites. The application of mass spectrometry (MS) in metabolomics has increased exponentially since the discovery and development of electrospray ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization techniques. Significant advances have also occurred in separation-based MS techniques (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry, and ion mobility-mass spectrometry), as well as separation-free MS techniques (direct infusion-mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry imaging, and direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry) in the past decades. This review presents a brief overview of the recent advanced MS techniques and their latest applications in metabolomics. The software/websites for MS result analyses are also reviewed.

Metabolomics is the systematic study of all the metabolites present within a biological system, supply functional information and has received extensive attention in the field of life sciences.

Activation of Reactive MALDI Adduct Ions Enables Differentiation of Dihydroxylated Vitamin D Isomers

Vitamin D compounds are secosteroids, which are best known for their role in bone health. More recent studies have shown that vitamin D metabolites and catabolites such as dihydroxylated species (e.g., 1,25- and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃) play key roles in the pathologies of various diseases. Identification of these isomers by mass spectrometry is challenging and currently relies on liquid chromatography, as the isomers exhibit virtually identical product ion spectra under collision induced dissociation conditions. Here, we developed a simple MALDI-CID method that utilizes ion activation of reactive analyte/matrix adducts to distinguish isomeric dihydroxyvitamin D₃ species, without the need for chromatography separation or chemical derivatization techniques. Specifically, reactive 1,5-diaminonaphthalene adducts of dihydroxyvitamin D₃ compounds formed during MADI were activated and specific cleavages in the secosteroid's backbone structure were achieved that produced isomer-diagnostic fragment ions. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Recommendations for quantitative analysis of small molecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has been used for quantitative analysis of small molecules for many years. It is usually preceded by an LC separation step when complex samples are tested. With the development several years ago of "modern MALDI" (automation, high repetition laser, high resolution peaks), the ease of use and performance of MALDI as a quantitative technique greatly increased. This review focuses on practical aspects of modern MALDI for quantitation of small molecules conducted in an ordinary way (no special reagents, devices or techniques for the spotting step of MALDI), and includes our ordinary, preferred methods The review is organized as 18 recommendations with accompanying explanations, criticisms and exceptions.

MALDI-MS analysis and theoretical evaluation of olanzapine as a UV laser desorption ionization (LDI) matrix

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) being soft ionization technique, has become a method of choice for high-throughput analysis of proteins and peptides. In this study, we have explored the potential of atypical anti-psychotic drug olanzapine (OLZ) as a matrix for MALDI-MS analysis of peptides aided with the theoretical studies. Seven small peptides were employed as target analytes to check performance of olanzapine and compared with conventional MALDI matrix α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCCA). All peptides were successfully detected when olanzapine was used as a matrix. Moreover, peptides angiotensin Ι and angiotensin ΙΙ were detected with better S/N ratio and resolution with this method as compared to their analysis by HCCA. Computational studies were performed to determine the thermochemical properties of olanzapine in order to further evaluate its similarity to MALDI matrices which were found in good agreement with the data of existing MALDI matrices.

Absolute Quantification of Rifampicin by MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry Using Multiple TOF/TOF Events in a Single Laser Shot

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) allows for the visualization of molecular distributions within tissue sections. While providing excellent molecular specificity and spatial information, absolute quantification by MALDI IMS remains challenging. Especially in the low molecular weight region of the spectrum, analysis is complicated by matrix interferences and ionization suppression. Though tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) can be used to ensure chemical specificity and improve sensitivity by eliminating chemical noise, typical MALDI MS/MS modalities only scan for a single MS/MS event per laser shot. Herein, we describe TOF/TOF instrumentation that enables multiple fragmentation events to be performed in a single laser shot, allowing the intensity of the analyte to be referenced to the intensity of the internal standard in each laser shot while maintaining the benefits of MS/MS. This approach is illustrated by the quantitative analyses of rifampicin (RIF), an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis, in pooled human plasma using rifapentine (RPT) as an internal standard. The results show greater than 4-fold improvements in relative standard deviation as well as improved coefficients of determination (R2) and accuracy (>93% quality controls, <9% relative errors). This technology is used as an imaging modality to measure absolute RIF concentrations in liver tissue from an animal dosed in vivo. Each microspot in the quantitative image measures the local RIF concentration in the tissue section, providing absolute pixel-to-pixel quantification from different tissue microenvironments. The average concentration determined by IMS is in agreement with the concentration determined by HPLC-MS/MS, showing a percent difference of 10.6%. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Quantification of low molecular weight compounds by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry - A tutorial review

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) permits label-free in situ analysis of chemical compounds directly from the surface of two-dimensional biological tissue slices. It links qualitative molecular information of compounds to their spatial coordinates and distribution within the investigated tissue. MALDI-MSI can also provide the quantitative amounts of target compounds in the tissue, if proper calibration techniques are performed. Obviously, as the target molecules are embedded within the biological tissue environment and analysis must be performed at their precise locations, there is no possibility for extensive sample clean-up routines or chromatographic separations as usually performed with homogenized biological materials; ion suppression phenomena therefore become a critical side effect of MALDI-MSI. Absolute quantification by MALDI-MSI should provide an accurate value of the concentration/amount of the compound of interest in relatively small, well-defined region of interest of the examined tissue, ideally in a single pixel. This goal is extremely challenging and will not only depend on the technical possibilities and limitations of the MSI instrument hardware, but equally on the chosen calibration/standardization strategy. These strategies are the main focus of this article and are discussed and contrasted in detail in this tutorial review. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: MALDI Imaging, edited by Dr. Corinna Henkel and Prof. Peter Hoffmann.

Critical factors determining the quantification capability of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization- time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Quantitative analysis with mass spectrometry (MS) is important but challenging. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) coupled with time-of-flight (TOF) MS offers superior sensitivity, resolution and speed, but such techniques have numerous disadvantages that hinder quantitative analyses. This review summarizes essential obstacles to analyte quantification with MALDI-TOF MS, including the complex ionization mechanism of MALDI, sensitive characteristics of the applied electric fields and the mass-dependent detection efficiency of ion detectors. General quantitative ionization and desorption interpretations of ion production are described. Important instrument parameters and available methods of MALDI-TOF MS used for quantitative analysis are also reviewed.This article is part of the themed issue 'Quantitative mass spectrometry'.

Multiple Time-of-Flight/Time-of-Flight Events in a Single Laser Shot for Improved Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry Quantification

Quantitative matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI TOF) approaches have historically suffered from poor accuracy and precision mainly due to the nonuniform distribution of matrix and analyte across the target surface, matrix interferences, and ionization suppression. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) can be used to ensure chemical specificity as well as improve signal-to-noise ratios by eliminating interferences from chemical noise, alleviating some concerns about dynamic range. However, conventional MALDI TOF/TOF modalities typically only scan for a single MS/MS event per laser shot, and multiplex assays require sequential analyses. We describe here new methodology that allows for multiple TOF/TOF fragmentation events to be performed in a single laser shot. This technology allows the reference of analyte intensity to that of the internal standard in each laser shot, even when the analyte and internal standard are quite disparate in m/z, thereby improving quantification while maintaining chemical specificity and duty cycle. In the quantitative analysis of the drug enalapril in pooled human plasma with ramipril as an internal standard, a greater than 4-fold improvement in relative standard deviation (<10%) was observed as well as improved coefficients of determination (R²) and accuracy (>85% quality controls). Using this approach we have also performed simultaneous quantitative analysis of three drugs (promethazine, enalapril, and verapamil) using deuterated analogues of these drugs as internal standards.

MALDI-MS drug analysis in biological samples: opportunities and challenges

Drug analysis represents a large field in different disciplines. Plasma is commonly considered to be the biosample of choice for that purpose. However, concentrations often do not represent the levels present within deeper compartments and therefore cannot sufficiently explain efficacy or toxicology of drugs. MALDI-MS in drug analysis is of great interest for high-throughput quantification and particularly spatially resolved tissue imaging. The current perspective article will deal with challenges and opportunities of MALDI-MS drug analysis in different biological samples. A particular focus will be on hair samples. Recent applications were included, reviewed for their instrumental setup and sample preparation and pros and cons as well as future perspectives are critically discussed.

The use of mass spectrometry to analyze dried blood spots

Dried blood spots (DBS) typically consist in the deposition of small volumes of capillary blood onto dedicated paper cards. Comparatively to whole blood or plasma samples, their benefits rely in the fact that sample collection is easier and that logistic aspects related to sample storage and shipment can be relatively limited, respectively, without the need of a refrigerator or dry ice. Originally, this approach has been developed in the sixties to support the analysis of phenylalanine for the detection of phenylketonuria in newborns using bacterial inhibition test. In the nineties tandem mass spectrometry was established as the detection technique for phenylalanine and tyrosine. DBS became rapidly recognized for their clinical value: they were widely implemented in pediatric settings with mass spectrometric detection, and were closely associated to the debut of newborn screening (NBS) programs, as a part of public health policies. Since then, sample collection on paper cards has been explored with various analytical techniques in other areas more or less successfully regarding large-scale applications. Moreover, in the last 5 years a regain of interest for DBS was observed and originated from the bioanalytical community to support drug development (e.g., PK studies) or therapeutic drug monitoring mainly. Those recent applications were essentially driven by improved sensitivity of triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. This review presents an overall view of all instrumental and methodological developments for DBS analysis with mass spectrometric detection, with and without separation techniques. A general introduction to DBS will describe their advantages and historical aspects of their emergence. A second section will focus on blood collection, with a strong emphasis on specific parameters that can impact quantitative analysis, including chromatographic effects, hematocrit effects, blood effects, and analyte stability. A third part of the review is dedicated to sample preparation and will consider off-line and on-line extractions; in particular, instrumental designs that have been developed so far for DBS extraction will be detailed. Flow injection analysis and applications will be discussed in section IV. The application of surface analysis mass spectrometry (DESI, paper spray, DART, APTDCI, MALDI, LDTD-APCI, and ICP) to DBS is described in section V, while applications based on separation techniques (e.g., liquid or gas chromatography) are presented in section VI. To conclude this review, the current status of DBS analysis is summarized, and future perspectives are provided.

Fast quantitative determination of methylphenidate levels in rat plasma and brain ex vivo by MALDI-MS/MS

This study presents a simple and sensitive high-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) method for ex vivo quantification of methylphenidate (MPH) in rat plasma and brain. The common MALDI matrix alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid was used to obtain an optimal dried droplet preparation. For method validation, standards diluted in plasma and brain homogenate prepared from untreated (control) rats were used. MPH was quantified within a concentration range of 0.1-40 ng/ml in plasma and 0.4-40 ng/ml in brain homogenate with an excellent linearity (R²  ≥ 0.9997) and good precision. The intra-day and inter-day accuracies fulfilled the FDA's ±15/20 critera. The recovery of MPH ranged from 93.8 to 98.5% and 87.2 to 99.8% in plasma and homogenate, respectively. We show that MPH is successfully quantified in plasma and brain homogenate of rats pre-treated with this drug using the internal standard calibration method. By means of this method, a linear correlation between plasma and brain concentration of MPH in rodents pre-treated with MPH was detected. The simple sample preparation based on liquid-liquid extraction and MALDI-MS/MS measurement requires approximately 10 s per sample, and this significantly reduces analysis time compared with other analytical methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first MALDI-MS/MS method for quantification of MPH in rat plasma and brain. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quantification in MALDI-MS imaging: what can we learn from MALDI-selected reaction monitoring and what can we expect for imaging?

Quantification by mass spectrometry imaging (Q-MSI) is one of the hottest topics of the current discussions among the experts of the MS imaging community. If MSI is established as a powerful qualitative tool in drug and biomarker discovery, its reliability for absolute and accurate quantification (QUAN) is still controversial. Indeed, Q-MSI has to deal with several fundamental aspects that are difficult to control, and to account for absolute quantification. The first objective of this manuscript is to review the state-of-the-art of Q-MSI and the current strategies developed for absolute quantification by direct surface sampling from tissue sections. This includes comments on the quest for the perfect matrix-matched standards and signal normalization approaches. Furthermore, this work investigates quantification at a pixel level to determine how many pixels must be considered for accurate quantification by ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), the most widely used technique for MSI. Particularly, this study focuses on the MALDI-selected reaction monitoring (SRM) in rastering mode, previously demonstrated as a quantitative and robust approach for small analyte and peptide-targeted analyses. The importance of designing experiments of good quality and the use of a labeled compound for signal normalization is emphasized to minimize the signal variability. This is exemplified by measuring the signal for cocaine and a tryptic peptide (i.e., obtained after digestion of a monoclonal antibody) upon different experimental conditions, such as sample stage velocity, laser power and frequency, or distance between two raster lines. Our findings show that accurate quantification cannot be performed on a single pixel but requires averaging of at least 4-5 pixels. The present work demonstrates that MALDI-SRM/MSI is quantitative with precision better than 10-15 %, which meets the requirements of most guidelines (i.e., in bioanalysis or toxicology) for quantification of drugs or peptides from tissue homogenates.

Screening Dyrk1A inhibitors by MALDI-QqQ mass spectrometry: systematic comparison to established radiometric, luminescence, and LC-UV-MS assays

Enzyme-catalyzed reactions play key roles in disease pathology, thus making them relevant subjects of therapeutic inhibitor screening experiments. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) assays have been demonstrated to be able to replace established screening approaches. They offer increased sample throughput, but care must be taken to avoid instrumental bias from differences in ionization efficiencies. We compared a MALDI-triple-quadrupole (QqQ) method for the Dyrk1A peptide substrate woodtide to LC-MS, liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV), luminescence, and radiometric assays. MALDI measurements were performed on a MALDI-QqQ instrument in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode. Different MALDI conditions were investigated to address whether matrix type, sample support, and MRM- or SIM-based detection conditions can be used to accommodate the molar responses of substrate peptide and its phosphorylated form. UV detection served as a reference method. The impact of MALDI matrix on IC50 values was small, even considering that matrix preparations were used that are known to alleviate response differences. IC50 values determined by MALDI were ca. 2-fold lower than those determined by LC-UV. Although MALDI generated lower ion yields for the phosphorylated peptide than for the peptide substrate, we found that a correction of compound potencies was readily possible using correction factors based on unbiased LC-UV results. A thorough method development delivered a robust assay with excellent performance (Z' > 0.91) that was close to that seen for LC-UV.

Novel galvanic nanostructures of Ag and Pd for efficient laser desorption/ionization of low molecular weight compounds

A simple approach for synthesis of palladium and silver nanostructures with readily adjustable morphologies was developed using galvanic electrochemical deposition, for application to surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) of small biological molecules. A range of fatty acids, triglycerides, carbohydrates, and antibiotics were investigated to assess the performance of the new materials. Intense analyte cations were generated from the galvanic surfaces upon UV laser irradiation such as potassium adducts for a film thickness <100 nm (originating from impurities of the electrolyte solution) and Pd and Ag cluster ions for films with a thickness >120 nm. Possible laser desorption/ionization mechanisms of these galvanic structures are discussed. The films exhibited self-organizing abilities and adjustable morphologies by changing electrochemical parameters. They did not require any stabilizing agents and were inexpensive and very easy to produce. SALDI analysis showed that the materials were stable under ambient conditions and analytical results with excellent measurement reproducibility and detection sensitivity similar to MALDI were obtained. Finally, we applied the galvanic surfaces to fast screening of natural oils with minimum sample preparation.

Recent methodological advances in MALDI mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is widely used for characterization of large, thermally labile biomolecules. Advantages of this analytical technique are high sensitivity, robustness, high-throughput capacity, and applicability to a wide range of compound classes. For some years, MALDI-MS has also been increasingly used for mass spectrometric imaging as well as in other areas of clinical research. Recently, several new concepts have been presented that have the potential to further advance the performance characteristics of MALDI. Among these innovations are novel matrices with low proton affinities for particularly efficient protonation of analyte molecules, use of wavelength-tunable lasers to achieve optimum excitation conditions, and use of liquid matrices for improved quantification. Instrumental modifications have also made possible MALDI-MS imaging with cellular resolution as well as an efficient generation of multiply charged MALDI ions by use of heated vacuum interfaces. This article reviews these recent innovations and gives the author's personal outlook of possible future developments.

A novel magnet focusing plate for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization analysis of magnetic bead-bound analytes

RATIONALE

Magnetic beads are often used for serum profiling of peptide and protein biomarkers. In these assays, the bead-bound analytes are eluted from the beads prior to mass spectrometric analysis. This study describes a novel matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technique for direct application and focusing of magnetic beads to MALDI plates by means of dedicated micro-magnets as sample spots.

METHODS

Custom-made MALDI plates with magnetic focusing spots were made using small nickel-coated neodymium micro-magnets integrated into a stainless steel plate in a 16 × 24 (384) pattern. For demonstrating the proof-of-concept, commercial C-18 magnetic beads were used for the extraction of a test compound (reserpine) from aqueous solution. Experiments were conducted to study focusing abilities, the required laser energies, the influence of a matrix compound, dispensing techniques, solvent choice and the amount of magnetic beads.

RESULTS

Dispensing the magnetic beads onto the micro-magnet sample spots resulted in immediate and strong binding to the magnetic surface. Light microscope images illustrated the homogeneous distribution of beads across the surfaces of the magnets, when the entire sample volume containing the beads was pipetted onto the surface. Subsequent MALDI analysis of the bead-bound analyte demonstrated excellent and reproducible ionization yields. The surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) properties of the strongly light-absorbing γ-Fe2O3-based beads resulted in similar ionization efficiencies to those obtained from experiments with an additional MALDI matrix compound.

CONCLUSIONS

This feasibility study successfully demonstrated the magnetic focusing abilities for magnetic bead-bound analytes on a novel MALDI plate containing small micro-magnets as sample spots. One of the key advantages of this integrated approach is that no elution steps from magnetic beads were required during analyses compared with conventional bead experiments.

Identifying tissue-specific signal variation in MALDI mass spectrometric imaging by use of an internal standard

Generating analyte-specific distribution maps of compounds in a tissue sample by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) has become a useful tool in numerous areas across the biological sciences. Direct analysis of the tissue sample provides MS images of an analyte's distribution with minimal sample pretreatment. The technique, however, suffers from the inability to account for tissue-specific variations in ion signal. The variation in the makeup of different tissue types can result in significant differences in analyte extraction, cocrystallization, and ionization across a sample. In this study, a deuterated internal standard was used to account for these signal variations. Initial experiments were performed using pure standards and optimal cutting temperature compound (OCT) to generate known areas of ion suppression. By monitoring the analyte-to-internal-standard ratio, differences in ion signal were taken into account, resulting in images that better represented the analyte concentration. These experiments were then replicated using multiple tissue types in which the analyte's MS signal was monitored. In certain tissues, including liver and kidney, the analyte signal was attenuated by up to 90%; however, when the analyte-to-internal-standard ratio was monitored, these differences were taken into account. These experiments further exemplify the need for an internal standard in the MSI workflow.

Quantitative MALDI tandem mass spectrometric imaging of cocaine from brain tissue with a deuterated internal standard

Mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) is an analytical technique used to determine the distribution of individual analytes within a given sample. A wide array of analytes and samples can be investigated by MSI, including drug distribution in rats, lipid analysis from brain tissue, protein differentiation in tumors, and plant metabolite distributions. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a soft ionization technique capable of desorbing and ionizing a large range of compounds, and it is the most common ionization source used in MSI. MALDI mass spectrometry (MS) is generally considered to be a qualitative analytical technique because of significant ion-signal variability. Consequently, MSI is also thought to be a qualitative technique because of the quantitative limitations of MALDI coupled with the homogeneity of tissue sections inherent in an MSI experiment. Thus, conclusions based on MS images are often limited by the inability to correlate ion signal increases with actual concentration increases. Here, we report a quantitative MSI method for the analysis of cocaine (COC) from brain tissue using a deuterated internal standard (COC-d(3)) combined with wide-isolation MS/MS for analysis of the tissue extracts with scan-by-scan COC-to-COC-d(3) normalization. This resulted in significant improvements in signal reproducibility and calibration curve linearity. Quantitative results from the MSI experiments were compared with quantitative results from liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS results from brain tissue extracts. Two different quantitative MSI techniques (standard addition and external calibration) produced quantitative results comparable to LC-MS/MS data. Tissue extracts were also analyzed by MALDI wide-isolation MS/MS, and quantitative results were nearly identical to those from LC-MS/MS. These results clearly demonstrate the necessity for an internal standard for quantitative MSI experiments.

Quantitative mass spectrometry combined with separation and enrichment of phosphopeptides by titania coated magnetic mesoporous silica microspheres for screening of protein kinase inhibitors

We describe herein the development of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) approach for screening of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs). MS quantification of phosphopeptides, the kinase-catalyzed products of nonphosphorylated substrates, is a great challenge due to the ion suppression effect of highly abundant nonphosphorylated peptides in enzymatic reaction mixtures. To address this issue, a novel type of titania coated magnetic hollow mesoporous silica spheres (TiO(2)/MHMSS) material was fabricated for capturing phosphopeptides from the enzymatic reaction mixtures prior to MS analysis. Under optimized conditions, even in the presence of 1000-fold of a substrate peptide of tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the phosphorylated substrates at the femtomole level can be detected with high accuracy and reproducibility. With a synthetic nonisotopic labeled phosphopeptide, of which the sequence is similar to that of the phosphorylated substrate, as the internal standard, the MS signal ratio of the phosphorylated substrate to the standard is linearly correlated with the molar ratio of the two phosphopeptides in peptide mixtures over the range of 0.1 to 4 with r(2) being 0.99. The IC(50) values of three EGFR inhibitors synthesized in our laboratory were then determined, and the results are consistent with those determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The developed method is sensitive, cost/time-effective, and operationally simple and does not require isotope/radioative-labeling, providing an ideal alterative for screening of PKIs as therapeutic agents.

High throughput enzyme inhibitor screening by functionalized magnetic carbonaceous microspheres and graphene oxide-based MALDI-TOF-MS

In this work, a high throughput methodology for screening enzyme inhibitors has been demonstrated by combining enzyme immobilized magnetic carbonaceous microspheres and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with grapheme oxide as matrix. First, model enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was immobilized onto the 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO)-modified magnetic carbonaceous (MC) microspheres, displaying a high enzyme activity and stability, and also facilitating the separation of enzyme from substrate and product. The efficiency of immobilized AChE was monitored by biochemical assay, which was carried out by mixing enzyme-immobilized MC microspheres with model substrate acetylcholine (ACh), and subsequent quantitative determination of substrate ACh and product choline using graphene oxide-based MALDI-TOF-MS with no background inference. The limit of detection (LOD) for ACh was 0.25 fmol/μL, and excellent linearity (R(2)=0.9998) was maintained over the range of 0.5 and 250 fmol/μL. Choline was quantified over the range of 0.05 and 15 pmol/μL, also with excellent linearity (R(2)=0.9994) and low LOD (0.15 fmol/μL). Good accuracy and precision were obtained for all concentrations within the range of the standard curves. All together, eight compounds (four known AChE inhibitors and four control chemical compounds with no AChE inhibit effect) were tested with our promoted methodology, and the obtained results demonstrated that our high throughput screening methodology could be a great help to the routine enzyme inhibitor screening.

Determination of loperamide in mdr1a/1b knock-out mouse brain tissue using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and comparison with quantitative electrospray-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis

Recently matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) imaging has been used to analyze small molecule pharmaceutical compounds directly on tissue sections to determine spatial distribution within target tissue and organs. The data presented to date usually indicate relative amounts of drug within the tissue. The determination of absolute amounts is still done using tissue homogenization followed by traditional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, the quantitative determination of loperamide, an antidiarrheal agent and a P-glycoprotein substrate, in mdr1a/1b (-/-) mouse brain tissue sections using MALDI MS on a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry is described. 5 mg/mL α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid in 50% acetonitrile with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and 0.5 μM reserpine was used as the MALDI matrix. The calibration curve constructed by the peak intensities of standard samples from MALDI MS was linear from 0.025 to 0.5 μM with r² = 0.9989. The accuracy of calibration curve standards was 78.3-105.9% and the percent deviation was less than 25%. Comparison between direct MALDI tissue analysis and conventional tissue analysis using homogenization followed by electrospray LC-MS/MS was also explored.

Assessment of intracellular methotrexate and methotrexate-polyglutamate metabolite concentrations in erythrocytes by ultrafast matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

A new ultrafast quantitative and high-throughput mass spectrometric method using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry has been developed and validated for determination of intracellular erythrocyte concentrations of the antifolate drug methotrexate (MTX) and its polyglutamate metabolites. The method consists of a solid-phase extraction of MTX and MTX-polyglutamate metabolites from deproteinized erythrocyte lysates spiked with aminopterin as internal standard. The newly developed method was validated according to the most recent FDA guidelines on linearity, recovery, within-run and between-run accuracy and precision and stability of the analytes. The low limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 10 nmol/L for all analytes while the limit of detection (LOD) determined at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio = 3:1 in drug- free erythrocyte lysate was on average 0.3 nmol/L. After validation, the new method was used in the measurement of intracellular erythrocyte concentrations of MTX and MTX-polyglutamate metabolites (MTXPG2 to MTXPG7) in packed human erythrocyte samples collected from patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving low-dose oral methotrexate therapy. Mean (SD) intracellular erythrocyte concentrations observed in patient samples were 12.8 (12.6), 12.4 (9.4), 44.4 (30.0), 33.6 (35.9) and 9.4 (8.2) nmol/L for MTX to MTXPG5, respectively, in 10(6) erythrocytes. The highest observed glutamylation degree of MTX was MTXPG5, the very long chain MTX-polyglutamate metabolites MTXPG6 and MTXPG7 were not detected in the packed erythrocyte pellets collected from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Fast quantitative determination of melamine and its derivatives by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A simple, sensitive and fast method for the determination of melamine and its derivatives in milk powder using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was developed. Neither time-consuming sample preparation, nor special target plates, or other extra equipment are necessary. The common matrix sinapinic acid (SA) was used with a dried-droplet preparation. Detection limits (signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio = 3) for standard solutions of melamine, ammeline and cyanuric acid were 10, 25 and 10 µg/L, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for melamine was 25 µg/L and excellent linearity (R(2): 0.9990) was maintained over the range of 10-2000 µg/L. Ammeline and cyanuric acid were analyzed with an LOQ of 50 µg/L and also excellent linearity (R(2): 0.9997 and R(2): 0.9998). Good accuracy and precision were obtained for all concentrations within the range of the standard curve. The developed method was successfully used for the determination of melamine, ammeline and cyanuric acid in milk powder samples with a simple sample preparation. The LOQ of melamine was 0.5 µg/g. Ammeline and cyanuric acid were detectable at 0.5 and 5 µg/g. This method showed excellent accuracy, precision and linearity and significantly reduces the needed analysis time, as only approximately 10 s/sample measuring time is required. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published method to quantify melamine and derivatives by MALDI-TOF-MS.

Ultrafast selective quantification of methotrexate in human plasma by high-throughput MALDI-isotope dilution mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

A new analytical MS method using isotope dilution combined with MALDI-triple quadrupole MS/MS has been developed and validated for the determination of methotrexate and 7-hydroxymethotrexate in plasma. Methotrexate, methotrexate-d3, 7-hydroxymethotrexate and 7-hydroxymethotrexate-d3 were monitored by selected reaction monitoring using the transitions m/z 455.2→308.2, 458.2→311.2, 471.2→324.2 and 474.2→327.2 for methotrexate, methotrexate-d3, 7-hydroxymethotrexate and 7-hydroxymethotrexate-d3, respectively.

RESULTS

The LLOQ was 1 nmol/l for methotrexate and 7-hydroxymethotrexate while the limit of detection was 0.3 nmol/l for both analytes. The new developed method was cross-validated by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay and tested for its clinical feasibility by measuring plasma samples from patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Plasma methotrexate concentrations ranged between 66.0 and 954 nmol/l and observed 7-hydroxymethotrexate/methotrexate ratios ranged between 0.1 and 32.4, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The new method showed comparable analytical performances as the fluorescence polarization immunoassay, but analyte specificity and sensitivity of the newly developed method were significantly better.

Analytical investigations of toxic p-phenylenediamine (PPD) levels in clinical urine samples with special focus on MALDI-MS/MS

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a common chromophoric ingredient in oxidative hair-dyes. In some African countries like Sudan, Egypt and Morocco but also in India this chemical is used alone or in combination with colouring extracts like Henna for dyeing of the hair or the skin. Excessive dermal exposure to PPD mainly leads to the N-mono- and N,N′-diacetylated products (MAPPD, DAPPD) by N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and 2) catalyzed reactions. Metabolites and PPD are mainly excreted via renal clearance. Despite a low risk of intoxication when used in due form, there are numerous cases of acute intoxication in those countries every year. At the ENT Hospital - Khartoum (Sudan) alone more than 300 cases are reported every year (∼10% fatal), mostly caused by either an accidental or intended (suicidal) high systemic exposure to pure PPD. Intoxication leads to a severe clinical syndrome including laryngeal edema, rhabdomyolysis and subsequent renal failure, neurotoxicity and acute toxic hepatitis. To date, there is no defined clinical treatment or antidote available and treatment is largely supportive. Herein, we show the development of a quick on-site identification assay to facilitate differential diagnosis in the clinic and, more importantly, the implementation of an advanced analytical platform for future in-depth investigations of PPD intoxication and metabolism is described. The current work shows a sensitive (∼25 µM) wet chemistry assay, a validated MALDI-MS/MS and HPLC-UV assay for the determination of PPD and its metabolites in human urine. We show the feasibility of the methods for measuring PPD over a range of 50–1000 µM. The validation criteria included linearity, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy and precision, recovery and stability. Finally, PPD concentrations were determined in clinical urine samples of cases of acute intoxication and the applied technique was expanded to identify MAPPD and DAPPD in the identical samples.

Simultaneous quantitation of amino acid mixtures using clustering agents

A method that uses the abundances of large clusters formed in electrospray ionization to determine the solution-phase molar fractions of amino acids in multi-component mixtures is demonstrated. For solutions containing either four or 10 amino acids, the relative abundances of protonated molecules differed from their solution-phase molar fractions by up to 30-fold and 100-fold, respectively. For the four-component mixtures, the molar fractions determined from the abundances of larger clusters consisting of 19 or more molecules were within 25% of the solution-phase molar fractions, indicating that the abundances and compositions of these clusters reflect the relative concentrations of these amino acids in solution, and that ionization and detection biases are significantly reduced. Lower accuracy was obtained for the 10-component mixtures where values determined from the cluster abundances were typically within a factor of three of their solution molar fractions. The lower accuracy of this method with the more complex mixtures may be due to specific clustering effects owing to the heterogeneity as a result of significantly different physical properties of the components, or it may be the result of lower S/N for the more heterogeneous clusters and not including the low-abundance more highly heterogeneous clusters in this analysis. Although not as accurate as using traditional standards, this clustering method may find applications when suitable standards are not readily available.

Determination of the antiretroviral drug tenofovir in plasma from HIV-infected adults by ultrafast isotope dilution MALDI-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

A new and reliable mass spectrometric method using an isotope dilution method in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (ID-MALDI-QqQ-MS/MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of concentrations of the antiretroviral drug tenofovir (TNV) in plasma from HIV-infected adults. The advantage of this new method is that (1) the method is ultrafast and (2) can be applied for high-throughput measurement of TNV in plasma. The method is based on a simple plasma deproteinization step in combination with the use of [adenine-(13) C(5) ]-TNV as the internal standard. TNV and [adenine-(13) C(5) ]-TNV were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring using the transition m/z 288.0 → 176.2 and m/z 293.2 → 181.2 for TNV and [adenine-(13) C(5) ]-TNV, respectively. The method was validated according to the most recent FDA guidelines for the development and validation of (new) bio-analytical assays. Validated method parameters were: linearity, accuracy, precision and stability of the method. The lowest limit of quantification was 0.10 µmol/l, whereas the limit of detection determined at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N = 3:1) in pooled drug free human control plasma was 0.04 µmol/l. The validated method was successfully applied and tested for its clinical feasibility by the analysis of plasma samples from selected HIV-infected adults receiving the prodrug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Observed plasma TNV concentrations ranged between 0.11 and 0.76 µmol/l and measured plasma TNV concentrations were within the therapeutically relevant concentration range.

Alternative CHCA-based matrices for the analysis of low molecular weight compounds by UV-MALDI-tandem mass spectrometry

Analysis of low molecular weight compounds (LMWC) in complex matrices by vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) often suffers from matrix interferences, which can severely degrade limits of quantitation. It is, therefore, useful to have available a range of suitable matrices, which exhibit complementary regions of interference. Two newly synthesized α-cyanocinnamic acid derivatives are reported here; (E)-2-cyano-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)acrylic acid (NpCCA) and (2E)-3-(anthracen-9-yl)-2-cyanoprop-2enoic acid (AnCCA). Along with the commonly used α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), and the recently developed 4-chloro-α-cyanocinnamic acid (Cl-CCA) matrices, these constitute a chemically similar series of matrices covering a range of molecular weights, and with correspondingly differing ranges of spectral interference. Their performance was compared by measuring the signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of 47 analytes, mostly pharmaceuticals, with the different matrices using the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode on a triple quadrupole instrument equipped with a vacuum MALDI source. AnCCA, NpCCA and Cl-CCA were found to offer better signal-to-noise ratios in SRM mode than CHCA, but Cl-CCA yielded the best results for 60% of the compounds tested. To better understand the relative performance of this matrix series, the proton affinities (PAs) were measured using the kinetic method. Their relative values were: AnCCA > CHCA > NpCCA > Cl-CCA. This ordering is consistent with the performance data. The synthesis of the new matrices is straightforward and they provide (1) tunability of matrix background interfering ions and (2) enhanced analyte response for certain classes of compounds.

Biomedical application of MALDI mass spectrometry for small-molecule analysis

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is an emerging analytical tool for the analysis of molecules with molar masses below 1,000 Da; that is, small molecules. This technique offers rapid analysis, high sensitivity, low sample consumption, a relative high tolerance towards salts and buffers, and the possibility to store sample on the target plate. The successful application of the technique is, however, hampered by low molecular weight (LMW) matrix-derived interference signals and by poor reproducibility of signal intensities during quantitative analyses. In this review, we focus on the biomedical application of MALDI-MS for the analysis of small molecules and discuss its favorable properties and its challenges as well as strategies to improve the performance of the technique. Furthermore, practical aspects and applications are presented.

Metabolic profiling of Escherichia coli by ion mobility-mass spectrometry with MALDI ion source

Comprehensive metabolome analysis using mass spectrometry (MS) often results in a complex mass spectrum and difficult data analysis resulting from the signals of numerous small molecules in the metabolome. In addition, MS alone has difficulty measuring isobars and chiral, conformational and structural isomers. When a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source is added, the difficulty and complexity are further increased. Signal interference between analyte signals and matrix ion signals produced by MALDI in the low mass region (<1500 Da) cause detection and/or identification of metabolites difficult by MS alone. However, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) coupled with MS (IM-MS) provides a rapid analytical tool for measuring subtle structural differences in chemicals. IMS separates gas-phase ions based on their size-to-charge ratio. This study, for the first time, reports the application of MALDI to the measurement of small molecules in a biological matrix by ion mobility-time of flight mass spectrometry (IM-TOFMS) and demonstrates the advantage of ion-signal dispersion in the second dimension. Qualitative comparisons between metabolic profiling of the Escherichia coli metabolome by MALDI-TOFMS, MALDI-IM-TOFMS and electrospray ionization (ESI)-IM-TOFMS are reported. Results demonstrate that mobility separation prior to mass analysis increases peak-capacity through added dimensionality in measurement. Mobility separation also allows detection of metabolites in the matrix-ion dominated low-mass range (m/z < 1500 Da) by separating matrix signals from non-matrix signals in mobility space.

Dihydrobenzoic acid modified nanoparticle as a MALDI-TOF MS matrix for soft ionization and structure determination of small molecules with diverse structures

Efficient structural characterization is important for quality control when developing novel materials. In this study, we demonstrated the soft ionization capability of the hybrid of immobilized silica and 2,5-dihydrobenzoic acid (DHB) on iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles in MALDI-TOF MS with a clean background. The ratio between SiO(2) and DHB was examined and was found to affect the surface immobilization of DHB on the nanoparticle, critically controlling the ionization efficiency and interference background. Compared with commercial DHB, the functionalized nanoparticle-assisted MALDI-TOF MS provided superior soft ionization with production of strong molecular ions within 5 ppm mass accuracy on a variety of new types of synthetic materials used for solar cells, light emitting devices, dendrimers, and glycolipids, including analytes with either thermally labile structures or poor protonation tendencies. In addition, the enhancements of the molecular ion signal also provided high-quality product-ion spectra allowing structural characterization and unambiguous small molecule identification. Using this technique, the structural differences among the isomers were distinguished through their characteristic fragment ions and comprehensive fragmentation patterns. With the advantages of long-term stability and simple sample preparation by deposition on a regular sample plate, the use of DHB-functionalized nanoparticles combined with high-resolution MALDI-TOF MS provides a generic platform for rapid and unambiguous structure determination of small molecules.

A new ultrafast and high-throughput mass spectrometric approach for the therapeutic drug monitoring of the multi-targeted anti-folate pemetrexed in plasma from lung cancer patients

An analytical assay has been developed and validated for ultrafast and high-throughput mass spectrometric determination of pemetrexed concentrations in plasma using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization–triple quadrupole–tandem mass spectrometry. Patient plasma samples spiked with the internal standard methotrexate were measured by multiple reaction monitoring. The detection limit was 0.4 fmol/μL, lower limit of quantification was 0.9 fmol/μL, and upper limit of quantification was 60 fmol/μL, respectively. Overall observed pemetrexed concentrations in patient samples ranged between 8.7 (1.4) and 142.7 (20.3) pmol/μL (SD). The newly developed mass spectrometric assay is applicable for (routine) therapeutic drug monitoring of pemetrexed concentrations in plasma from non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Ultrafast and high-throughput mass spectrometric assay for therapeutic drug monitoring of antiretroviral drugs in pediatric HIV-1 infection applying dried blood spots

Kaletra® (Abott Laboratories) is a co-formulated medication used in the treatment of HIV-1-infected children, and it contains the two antiretroviral protease inhibitor drugs lopinavir and ritonavir. We validated two new ultrafast and high-throughput mass spectrometric assays to be used for therapeutic drug monitoring of lopinavir and ritonavir concentrations in whole blood and in plasma from HIV-1-infected children. Whole blood was blotted onto dried blood spot (DBS) collecting cards, and plasma was collected simultaneously. DBS collecting cards were extracted by an acetonitrile/water mixture while plasma samples were deproteinized with acetone. Drug concentrations were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-QqQ-MS/MS). The application of DBS made it possible to measure lopinavir and ritonavir in whole blood in therapeutically relevant concentrations. The MALDI-QqQ-MS/MS plasma assay was successfully cross-validated with a commonly used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–ultraviolet (UV) assay for the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of HIV-1-infected patients, and it showed comparable performance characteristics. Observed DBS concentrations showed as well, a good correlation between plasma concentrations obtained by MALDI-QqQ-MS/MS and those obtained by the HPLC-UV assay. Application of DBS for TDM proved to be a good alternative to the normally used plasma screening. Moreover, collection of DBS requires small amounts of whole blood which can be easily performed especially in (very) young children where collection of large whole blood amounts is often not possible. DBS is perfectly suited for TDM of HIV-1-infected children; but nevertheless, DBS can also easily be applied for TDM of patients in areas with limited or no laboratory facilities.

Ultra-fast analysis of plasma and intracellular levels of HIV protease inhibitors in children: a clinical application of MALDI mass spectrometry

HIV protease inhibitors must penetrate into cells to exert their action. Differences in the intracellular pharmacokinetics of these drugs may explain why some patients fail on therapy or suffer from drug toxicity. Yet, there is no information available on the intracellular levels of HIV protease inhibitors in HIV infected children, which is in part due to the large amount of sample that is normally required to measure the intracellular concentrations of these drugs. Therefore, we developed an ultra-fast and sensitive assay to measure the intracellular concentrations of HIV protease inhibitors in small amounts of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and determined the intracellular concentrations of lopinavir and ritonavir in HIV infected children. An assay based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) - triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was developed to determine the concentrations of HIV protease inhibitors in 10 µL plasma and 1×10⁶ PBMCs. Precisions and accuracies were within the values set by the FDA for bioanalytical method validation. Lopinavir and ritonavir did not accumulate in PBMCs of HIV infected children. In addition, the intracellular concentrations of lopinavir and ritonavir correlated poorly to the plasma concentrations of these drugs. MALDI-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry is a new tool for ultra-fast and sensitive determination of drug concentrations which can be used, for example, to assess the intracellular pharmacokinetics of HIV protease inhibitors in HIV infected children.

Direct standard-free quantitation of Tamiflu and other pharmaceutical tablets using clustering agents with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Accurate and rapid quantitation is advantageous to identify counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical drugs. A standard-free electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method is used to directly determine the dosage in the prescription and over-the-counter drugs Tamiflu, Sudafed, and Dramamine. A tablet of each drug was dissolved in aqueous solution, filtered, and introduced into solutions containing a known concentration of l-tryptophan, l-phenylalanine, or prednisone as a clustering agent. The active ingredient(s) incorporates statistically into large clusters of the clustering agent where effects of differential ionization/detection are substantially reduced. From the abundances of large clusters, the dosages of the active ingredients in each of the tablets were determined to typically better than 20% accuracy even when the ionization/detection efficiency of the individual components differed by over 100x. Although this unorthodox method for quantitation is not as accurate as using conventional standards, it has the advantages that it is fast, it can be applied to mixtures where the identities of the analytes are unknown, and it can be used when suitable standards may not be readily available, such as schedule I or II controlled substances or new designer drugs that have not previously been identified.

Fully automated liquid extraction-based surface sampling and ionization using a chip-based robotic nanoelectrospray platform

A fully automated liquid extraction-based surface sampling device utilizing an Advion NanoMate chip-based infusion nanoelectrospray ionization system is reported. Analyses were enabled for discrete spot sampling by using the Advanced User Interface of the current commercial control software. This software interface provided the parameter control necessary for the NanoMate robotic pipettor to both form and withdraw a liquid microjunction for sampling from a surface. The system was tested with three types of analytically important sample surface types, viz., spotted sample arrays on a MALDI plate, dried blood spots on paper, and whole-body thin tissue sections from drug dosed mice. The qualitative and quantitative data were consistent with previous studies employing other liquid extraction-based surface sampling techniques.