Quantification of histamine in blood plasma and cell culture supernatants: a validated one-step gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method

The effects of tumor-derived supernatants (TDS) on cancer cell progression: A review and update on carcinogenesis and immunotherapy

Tumors can produce bioactive substances called tumor-derived supernatants (TDS) that modify the immune response in the host body. This can result in immunosuppressive effects that promote the growth and spread of cancer. During tumorigenesis, the exudation of these substances can disrupt the function of immune sentinels in the host and reinforce the support for cancer cell growth. Tumor cells produce cytokines, growth factors, and proteins, which contribute to the progression of the tumor and the formation of premetastatic niches. By understanding how cancer cells influence the host immune system through the secretion of these factors, we can gain new insights into cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Strong histamine torsion Raman spectrum enables direct, rapid, and ultrasensitive detection of allergic diseases

Allergic diseases are closely related to degranulation and release of histamine and difficult to diagnose because non-allergic diseases also exhibit the same clinical symptoms as allergy. Here, we report direct, rapid, and ultrasensitive detection of histamine using low-frequency molecular torsion Raman spectroscopy. We show that the low-frequency (<200 cm-1) Raman spectral intensities are stronger by one order of magnitude than those of the high-frequency Raman ones. Density functional theory calculation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identify the strong spectral feature to be from torsions of carbon-carbon single bonds, which produce large variations of the polarizability densities in the imidazole ring and ethyl amino side chain. Using an omniphobic substrate and surface plasmonic effect of Au@SiO2 nanoparticles, the detection limit (signal-noise ratio >3) of histamine reaches 10-8 g/L in water and 10-6 g/L in serum. This scheme thus opens new lines of inquiry regarding the clinical diagnosis of allergic diseases.

Evolution of diagnostic approaches in betalactam hypersensitivity

INTRODUCTION

Betalactams are the most widely used drugs against infections and the primary cause of antibiotic hypersensitivity reactions. Reaction patterns for different betalactams have been changing in accordance with consumption trends, and vary among countries. As a consequence, in vivo and in vitro tests have had to change with to keep up with new tendencies. Areas covered: This review is focused on advances in betalactam hypersensitivity diagnosis. Changes in in vivo methods have been limited to the inclusion of new haptens. In contrast, major progress has been achieved for in vitro tests since the 1960s, from the first description of immunoassays, the basophil activation test and the lymphocyte transformation test, to the more sophisticated assays developed in last years. Expert commentary: Issues with diagnosis are related to test sensitivity. In vivo tests show higher sensitivity, however they can be risky, especially in severe and life-threatening reactions. Therefore, we believe that in vitro tests should be the preferred method. Current efforts are under way to enhance their sensitivity. Only multidisciplinary approaches involving immunology, proteomics, nanotechnology and chemistry can help us to fully understand conjugate structures and mechanisms involved in hypersensitivity reactions to betalactams, and consequently lead to advances in in vitro methods.

Analytical Methods for the Quantification of Histamine and Histamine Metabolites

The endogenous metabolite histamine (HA) is synthesized in various mammalian cells but can also be ingested from exogenous sources. It is involved in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological processes. So far, four different HA receptors (H₁R-H₄R) have been described and numerous HAR antagonists have been developed. Contemporary investigations regarding the various roles of HA and its main metabolites have been hampered by the lack of highly specific and sensitive analytic methods for all of these analytes. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the method of choice for identification and sensitive quantification of many low-molecular weight endogenous metabolites. In this chapter, different methodological aspects of HA quantification as well as recommendations for LC-MS/MS methods suitable for analysis of HA and its main metabolites are summarized.

Amperometric Biosensor Based on Diamine Oxidase/Platinum Nanoparticles/Graphene/Chitosan Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode for Histamine Detection

This work describes the development and optimization studies of a novel biosensor employed in the detection and quantification of histamine in freshwater fish samples. The proposed biosensor is based on a modified carbon screen-printed electrode with diamineoxidase, graphene and platinum nanoparticles, which detects the hydrogen peroxide formed by the chemical process biocatalysed by the enzyme diamine oxidase and immobilized onto the nanostructurated surface of the receptor element. The amperometric measurements with the biosensor have been implemented in buffer solution of pH 7.4, applying an optimal low potential of +0.4 V. The novel biosensor shows high sensitivity (0.0631 μA·μM), low detection limit (2.54 × 10⁻⁸ M) and a broad linear domain from 0.1 to 300 μM. The applicability in natural complex samples and the analytical parameters of this enzyme sensor have been performed in the quantification of histamine in freshwater fish. An excellent correlation among results achieved with the developed biosensor and results found with the standard method for all freshwater fish samples has been achieved.

Role of Histamine Release Test for the Evaluation of Patients with Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Clavulanic Acid

BACKGROUND

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to clavulanic acid (CLV) seem to be on the increase. Diagnosis is mainly based on skin testing and the drug provocation test (DPT), procedures that are not risk free. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the histamine release test (HRT) could help evaluate patients with selective hypersensitivity to CLV.

METHODS

Eighteen patients with immediate selective hypersensitivity reactions to CLV (positive skin tests to CLV but negative to the major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin and amoxicillin; negative DPT to benzylpenicillin and amoxicillin) and 21 controls with tolerance to CLV were included. Direct and passive HRT, using patient whole blood or 'IgE-stripped' donor blood sensitized by patient serum, respectively, were performed by stimulating the blood with CLV, and basophil histamine release was detected by fluorometric determination.

RESULTS

The clinical symptoms were anaphylaxis (n = 6), urticaria (n = 9) and urticaria-angioedema (n = 3). The median time interval between the reaction and the study was 225 days (interquartile range, IQR: 120-387.5) and between drug intake and the development of symptoms 30 min (IQR: 6.25-30). We obtained similar data for both the direct and passive HRT, with a sensitivity and specificity of 55 and 85%, respectively, a positive predictive value of 76% and a negative predictive value of 69%.

CONCLUSIONS

The sensitivity of both the direct and passive HRT for diagnosing patients with immediate allergy to CLV is less than 60%. However, the passive HRT has the advantage that it is based on the testing of serum samples that can be handled more easily than fresh blood samples.

Histamine quantification in human plasma using high resolution accurate mass LC-MS technology

BACKGROUND

Histamine (HA) is a small amine playing an important role in anaphylactic reactions. In order to identify and quantify HA in plasma matrix, different methods have been developed but present several disadvantages. Here, we developed an alternative method using liquid chromatography coupled with an ultra-high resolution and accurate mass instrument, Q Exactive™ (Thermo Fisher) (LCHRMS).

METHODS

The method includes a protein precipitation of plasma samples spiked with HA-d4 as internal standard (IS). LC separation was performed on a C18 Accucore column (100∗2.1mm, 2.6μm) using a mobile phase containing nonafluoropentanoic acid (3nM) and acetonitrile with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid on gradient mode. Separation of analytes was obtained within 10min. Analysis was performed from full scan mode and targeted MS2 mode using a 5ppm mass window. Ion transitions monitored for targeted MS2 mode were 112.0869>95.0607m/z for HA and 116.1120>99.0855m/z for HA-d4. Calibration curves were obtained by adding standard calibration dilution at 1 to 180nM in TrisBSA.

RESULTS

Elution of HA and IS occurred at 4.1min. The method was validated over a range of concentrations from 1nM to 100nM. The intra- and inter-run precisions were <15% for quality controls. Human plasma samples from 30 patients were analyzed by LCHRMS, and the results were highly correlated with those obtained using the gold standard radioimmunoassay (RIA) method.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we demonstrate here that LCHRMS is a sensitive method for histamine quantification in biological human plasmas, suitable for routine use in medical laboratories. In addition, LCHRMS is less time-consuming than RIA, avoids the use of radioactivity, and could then be considered as an alternative quantitative method.

Development of a UHPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of plasma histamine in various mammalian species

Histamine is an important mediator of anaphylactic reactions. Although several methods have been developed to measure histamine levels, each has its limitations. In this study, we developed and validated a convenient bioanalytical method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of histamine in plasma samples from humans, beagle dogs, Sprague-Dawley rats, and imprinting control region mice. A simple plasma protein precipitation method using acetonitrile was selected, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for sample separation and detection. Histamine was subjected to gradient elution with acetonitrile, ammonium acetate buffer, and formic acid. A mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source was operated in the positive-ion multiple reaction monitoring mode for the detection of histamine and the internal standard. The [M+H](+) transitions were m/z 112→95 for histamine and m/z 116→99 for d4-histamine, which was used as the internal standard. The lower limit of quantification was 0.2μg/L and the calibration range was 0.2-500μg/L. The overall recovery ranged from 93.6% to 102.8%. The intra- and inter-run precision and accuracy were <15% for plasma samples from all four species. The method was validated by measuring the plasma histamine concentrations in five healthy human volunteers. In conclusion, we have developed and validated a novel bioanalytical method for the quantification of histamine levels in plasma samples from various mammalian species.

A designer cell-based histamine-specific human allergy profiler

Allergic disorders are markedly increasing in industrialized countries. The identification of compounds that trigger the immunoglobulin E-dependent allergic reaction remains the key to limit patients’ exposure to critical allergens and improve their quality of life. Here we use synthetic biology principles to design a mammalian cell-based allergy profiler that scores the allergen-triggered release of histamine from whole-blood-derived human basophils. A synthetic signalling cascade engineered within the allergy profiler rewires histamine input to the production of reporter protein, thereby integrating histamine levels in whole-blood samples with remarkable sensitivity and a wide dynamic range, allowing for rapid results or long-term storage of output, respectively. This approach provides non-intrusive allergy profiles for the personalized medicine era.

The advancement of sensitive, accurate and non-invasive methods to identify the allergen that drives allergic disease in an individual remains a challenge. Here, the authors develop a synthetic biology approach using human designer cells to profile allergic reactions against an array of allergens measuring histamine release from whole blood.

A sensitive and selective determination method of histamine by HPLC with intramolecular excimer-forming derivatization and ?uorescence detection

A highly sensitive, selective and simple method is described for the determination of histamine by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The method is based on an intramolecular excimer-forming fluorescence derivatization of histamine with 4-(1-pyrene)butyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (PSE), followed by reversed-phase HPLC. Histamine, having two amino moieties in a molecule, was converted to the dipyrene-labeled derivative by reaction with PSE. The derivative afforded intramolecular excimer fluorescence (450-540 nm), which can clearly be discriminated from the monomer fluorescence (370-420 nm) emitted from PSE. Typically, a 10 micro L sample solution was mixed with 100 micro L of derivatization reagent solution, which was a mixture of 0.5 mm PSE in acetonitrile and 0.5 mm potassium carbonate in water (8:2, v/v). The derivatization was carried out at 100 degrees C for 90 min. The PSE derivative of histamine could be separated by reversed-phase ODS column with isocratic elution using acetonitrile:water (82:18, v/v) containing 0.03% triethylamine. The detection limit (singnal-to-noise ratio = 3) of histamine was 0.5 fmol for a 30 micro L injection. The method was successfully applied to the determination of histamine in human urine, and had enough selectivity and sensitivity for urinary histamine quantification.