Prioritization of biomarker targets in human umbilical cord blood: identification of proteins in infant blood serving as validated biomarkers in adults

Evolution of the Umbilical Cord Blood Proteome Across Gestational Development

Neonatal health is dependent on early risk stratification, diagnosis, and timely management of potentially devastating conditions, particularly in the setting of prematurity. Many of these conditions are poorly predicted in real-time by clinical data and current diagnostics. Umbilical cord blood may represent a novel source of molecular signatures that provides a window into the state of the fetus at birth. In this study, we comprehensively characterized the cord blood proteome of infants born between 24 to 42 weeks using untargeted mass spectrometry and functional enrichment analysis. We determined that the cord blood proteome at birth varies significantly across gestational development. Proteins that function in structural development and growth (e.g., extracellular matrix organization, lipid particle remodeling, and blood vessel development) are more abundant earlier in gestation. In later gestations, proteins with increased abundance are in immune response and inflammatory pathways, including complements and calcium-binding proteins. Furthermore, these data contribute to the knowledge of the physiologic state of neonates across gestational age, which is crucial to understand as we strive to best support postnatal development in preterm infants, determine mechanisms of pathology causing adverse health outcomes, and develop cord blood biomarkers to help tailor our diagnosis and therapeutics for critical neonatal conditions.

Bioinformatics-based screening of key genes between maternal preeclampsia and offspring schizophrenia

Converging lines of evidence suggest an association between schizophrenia and prenatal neurodevelopmental disorders. Preeclampsia is a multisystem disease based on the coexistence of pregnancy and elevated blood pressure, which increases the risk for offspring abnormal neurodevelopment. Previous studies have showed maternal preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of offspring schizophrenia, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we sought to identify key protein-coding genes between maternal preeclampsia and offspring schizophrenia. GSE53987 and GSE166846 datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analysed to obtain common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between preeclampsia and schizophrenia. GSE62105 dataset was analysed to identify the DEGs' expressions in neural cells from one control and one schizophrenic patient. GSE92845 dataset was analysed to describe the changes of the DEGs in human neural stem cells. In total, we obtained ten common DEGs. All of them expressed differently in neural cells of the control and schizophrenic patient. We chose the six DEGs that had similar trend in both neural cells and UCB from preeclampsia patients and analysed their expressions in human neural stem cells over time. We found the expressions of CKAP5 and SAT1 in day 30 had significant difference comparing with those in day 0. The KEGG pathway analysis of their interaction proteins showed they were involved with metabolism. Our results may provide a new insight for genetic basis of relationship between maternal preeclampsia and offspring schizophrenia.

Evaluating the effect of spaceflight on the host-pathogen interaction between human intestinal epithelial cells and Salmonella Typhimurium

Spaceflight uniquely alters the physiology of both human cells and microbial pathogens, stimulating cellular and molecular changes directly relevant to infectious disease. However, the influence of this environment on host-pathogen interactions remains poorly understood. Here we report our results from the STL-IMMUNE study flown aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-131, which investigated multi-omic responses (transcriptomic, proteomic) of human intestinal epithelial cells to infection with Salmonella Typhimurium when both host and pathogen were simultaneously exposed to spaceflight. To our knowledge, this was the first in-flight infection and dual RNA-seq analysis using human cells.

Autologous cord blood in children with cerebral palsy: a review

The aim of this narrative review is to report on the current knowledge regarding the clinical use of umbilical cord blood (CB) based on articles from PubMed and clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that CB may be used for both early diagnostics and treatment of cerebral palsy. The acidity of CB and its biochemical parameters, including dozens of cytokines, growth factors, and other metabolites (such as amino acids, acylcarnitines, phosphatidylcholines, succinate, glycerol, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and O-phosphocholine) are predictors of future neurodevelopment. In addition, several clinical studies confirmed the safety and efficacy of CB administration in both autologous and allogeneic models, including a meta-analysis of five clinical trials involving a total of 328 participants. Currently, nine clinical trials assessing the use of autologous umbilical CB in children diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or cerebral palsy are in progress. The total population assessed in these trials exceeds 2500 patients.

Differential proteomic expression of human placenta and fetal development following e-waste lead and cadmium exposure in utero

Prenatal exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) has been associated with a series of physiological problems resulting in fetal growth restriction. We aimed to investigate the effects of Pb and Cd exposure on placental function and the potential mechanisms involved in fetal development. Placental specimens and questionnaires were collected from an e-waste area and a reference area in China. Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF-MS/MS and molecular network relationship were performed to analyze differentially expressed proteins using a compositing sample pool. Compared with the reference group, the exposed group exhibited significantly higher levels of placental Pb and Cd (p<0.01), shorter body length and higher gestational age (p<0.01). After bivariate adjustment in a linear regression model, decreases of 205.05g in weight and 0.44cm in body length were associated with a 10ng/g wt increase in placental Cd. Pb showed a negative trend but lacked statistical significance. Proteomic analysis showed 32 differentially-expressed proteins and were predominantly involved in protein translocation, cytoskeletal structure, and energy metabolism. Fumarate hydratase was down-regulated in the exposed placenta tissues and validated by ELISA. Alterations in placental proteome suggest that imbalances in placental mitochondria respiration might be a vital pathway targeting fetal growth restriction induced by exposure to Cd.

Purification and proteomics of pathogen-modified vacuoles and membranes

Certain pathogenic bacteria adopt an intracellular lifestyle and proliferate in eukaryotic host cells. The intracellular niche protects the bacteria from cellular and humoral components of the mammalian immune system, and at the same time, allows the bacteria to gain access to otherwise restricted nutrient sources. Yet, intracellular protection and access to nutrients comes with a price, i.e., the bacteria need to overcome cell-autonomous defense mechanisms, such as the bactericidal endocytic pathway. While a few bacteria rupture the early phagosome and escape into the host cytoplasm, most intracellular pathogens form a distinct, degradation-resistant and replication-permissive membranous compartment. Intracellular bacteria that form unique pathogen vacuoles include Legionella, Mycobacterium, Chlamydia, Simkania, and Salmonella species. In order to understand the formation of these pathogen niches on a global scale and in a comprehensive and quantitative manner, an inventory of compartment-associated host factors is required. To this end, the intact pathogen compartments need to be isolated, purified and biochemically characterized. Here, we review recent progress on the isolation and purification of pathogen-modified vacuoles and membranes, as well as their proteomic characterization by mass spectrometry and different validation approaches. These studies provide the basis for further investigations on the specific mechanisms of pathogen-driven compartment formation.

A Novel Point-of-Care Biomarker Recognition Method: Validation by Detecting Marker for Diabetic Nephropathy

Biological fluid collection to identify and analyze different disease markers is a routine and normal procedure in health care settings. Body fluids are as varied as urine, blood, mucus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tears, semen, etc. The volumes of the collected fluids range from micro liters (e.g., tears, CSF) to tens and hundreds of milliliters (blood, urine, etc.). In some manifestations, a disease marker (particularly protein markers) can occur in trace amounts, yet the fluids collected are in large volumes. To identify these trace markers, cumbersome methods, expensive instruments, and trained personnel are required. We developed an easy method to rapidly capture, concentrate, and identify protein markers in large volumes of test fluids. This method involves the utilization of two antibodies recognizing two different epitopes of the protein biomarker. Antibody-1 helps to capture and concentrate the biomarker and Antibody-2 adsorbed or conjugated to nanogold beads will detect the biomarker. This method was validated in capturing and detecting lipocalin type prostaglandin-D2 synthase, a marker in urine that implicates diabetic nephropathy. A one-step collection, concentration, and detection device was designed based on this method. This device can replace many of the normal body fluid collection devices such as tubes and containers. A one-step fluid collection and biomarker capture and concentration device for rapid diagnosis of diseases has tremendous advantage in terms of cost and providing timely results.

Elucidating the molecular basis of adverse health effects from exposure to anthropogenic polyfluorinated compounds using toxicoproteomic approaches

Linear, short-chain polyfluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl compounds, often referred to as PFCs, have been in worldwide use as surfactants and polymer precursors for decades, and environmental dispersal of these highly persistent compounds represents a public health threat. Whereas ubiquitous low-level exposure to these compounds has been demonstrated in human populations from around the world, the exact mechanisms of toxicity and their toxic potency remain subject to investigation and scientific dispute. As with other environmental exposures, a major hurdle for gaining a better understanding of their human health impacts is the limited utility of cell culture and animal models serving as convenient, yet imperfect proxies to human physiology and disease. The present communication provides a brief overview of the current understanding of potential health effects of PFC exposure and examines how new toxicoproteomic methodologies can provide insight into the molecular mechanism of PFC exposure. Furthermore, we showcase an exemplary data set to illustrate how toxicoproteomic, population-wide studies might overcome limitations of animal models to more fully understand the metabolism and effects of PFCs and other environmental stressors where it matters most, in human populations experiencing real-world, chronic, low-level exposures.

Microfluidic devices for high-throughput proteome analyses

Over the last decades, microfabricated bioanalytical platforms have gained enormous interest due to their potential to revolutionize biological analytics. Their popularity is based on several key properties, such as high flexibility of design, low sample consumption, rapid analysis time, and minimization of manual handling steps, which are of interest for proteomics analyses. An ideal totally integrated chip-based microfluidic device could allow rapid automated workflows starting from cell cultivation and ending with MS-based proteome analysis. By reducing or eliminating sample handling and transfer steps and increasing the throughput of analyses these workflows would dramatically improve the reliability, reproducibility, and throughput of proteomic investigations. While these complete devices do not exist for routine use yet, many improvements have been made in the translation of proteomic sample handling and separation steps into microfluidic formats. In this review, we will focus on recent developments and strategies to enable and integrate proteomic workflows into microfluidic devices.

Prioritization of biomarker targets in human umbilical cord blood: identification of proteins in infant blood serving as validated biomarkers in adults

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis represents one of the best lines of defense in the fight against a wide array of human diseases. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is one of the first easily available diagnostic biofluids and can inform about the health status of newborns. However, compared with adult blood, its diagnostic potential remains largely untapped.

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to accelerate biomarker research on UCB by exploring its detectable protein content and providing a priority list of potential biomarkers based on known proteins involved in disease pathways.

METHODS

We explored cord blood serum proteins by profiling a UCB pool of 12 neonates with different backgrounds using a combination of isoelectric focusing and liquid chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) and by comparing results with information contained in metabolic and disease databases available for adult blood.

RESULTS

A total of 1,210 UCB proteins were identified with a protein-level false discovery rate of ~ 5% as estimated by naïve target-decoy and MAYU approaches, signifying a 6-fold increase in the number of UCB proteins described to date. Identified proteins correspond to 138 different metabolic and disease pathways and provide a platform of mechanistically linked biomarker candidates for tracking disruptions in cellular processes. Moreover, among the identified proteins, 38 were found to be approved biomarkers for adult blood.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study advance current knowledge of the human cord blood serum proteome. They showcase the potential of UCB as a diagnostic medium for assessing infant health by detection and identification of candidate biomarkers for known disease pathways using a global, nontargeted approach. These biomarkers may inform about mechanisms of exposure-disease relationships. Furthermore, biomarkers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for screening in adult blood were detected in UCB and represent high-priority targets for immediate validation.