Serum albumin fragmentation in end-stage renal disease patients--a pilot study.

Background: The goal of this study was to detect modification in the expression of plasma proteins and/or post-translational modifications of their structure in patients with end stage renal disease.

Methods: Serum samples from 19 adult patients treated by maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) were analyzed in comparison to sera from six healthy controls using sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). Spots of interest were identified by mass spectrometry analysis.

Protein profile of capacitated versus ejaculated human sperm.

Freshly ejaculated sperm acquire the fertilizing potential by a continuing process that occurs during sperm transport through the female genital tract, and it is physiologically not complete until the spermatozoon reaches the oocyte. The process termed capacitation can be mimicked in vitro by using appropriate capacitation media. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying capacitation are poorly understood.

Proteome analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage in individuals from Metsovo, nonoccupationally exposed to asbestos.

Inhabitants of Metsovo, NW Greece, have been exposed to an asbestos whitewash, resulting in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and pleural calcifications (PCs). Interestingly, those with PCs (PC(+)) are less prone to MPM. They also have lymphocytic alveolitis, and differences in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) proteins, compared with those without pleural calcifications (PC(-)).

Transketolase and 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase type I isoforms are specifically recognized by IgG autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis patients.

The presence of autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis (MuS) is well known, but their target antigens have not been clearly identified. In the present study, IgG autoreactivity to neural antigens of normal human white matter separated by bidimensional electrophoresis was assessed in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 18 MuS and 20 control patients. Broad IgG autoreactivity was detected by two-dimensional immunoblotting in all cases to neural antigens, most of which were identified by mass spectrometry.

Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells to determine proteome profiles in human cardiac failure.

Background: In chronic heart failure (CHF), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) might undergo structural and/or functional alterations as a consequence of the development and progression of the disease.

Aims: This study was aimed at: (1) assessing the proteome profile of PBMC from Controls and CHF subjects, (2) identifying differentially-expressed proteins in healthy subjects and patients, and (3) analysing the expression of these proteins in patients after heart transplantation.

Methods And Results: Proteome changes were assessed in PBMC from 8 healthy and 11 end-stage CHF (6 Ischaemic Heart Failure [IHF], 5 Dilated CardioMyopathy [DCM]) subjects by gel electrophoresis, PD-Quest analysis and mass spectrometry.

Novel autoantigens recognized by CSF IgG from Hashimoto's encephalitis revealed by a proteomic approach.

To identify the target of IgG autoimmune response in Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE), we studied the binding of IgG present in serum and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) from six patients with HE and 15 controls to human central nervous system (CNS) white matter antigens by 2D-PAGE and immunoblotting and by immunohistochemistry. We found that CSF IgG from HE patients specifically recognized 3 spots, which were identified as dimethylargininase-I (DDAHI) and aldehyde reductase-I (AKRIAI). DDAHI was present in two isoforms recognized respectively by five and four HE patients; immunohistochemistry with anti-DDAHI antiserum depicted endothelial cells in normal human CNS.

Proteomic analysis of the pathophysiological process involved in the antisnake venom effect of Mucuna pruriens extract.

Previously, we reported the antisnake venom properties of a Mucuna pruriens seed extract (MPE) and tested its in vivo efficacy against Echis carinatus venom (EV) in short- (1 injection) and long-term (three weekly injections) treatments. The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma proteome changes associated with MPE treatments and identify proteins responsible for survival of envenomated mice (CHALLENGED mice). Six treatment groups were studied.

Carbonylated proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis associated with systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Oxygen-derived free radicals produced by phagocytes have been postulated to contribute to lung tissue damage occurring during diffuse lung diseases (DLD). The two-dimensional electrophoretic (2-DE) analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein composition revealed different protein profiles in sarcoidosis (S), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) with a significant increase of low molecular weight proteins in IPF. Some of these proteins are involved in antioxidant processes.

Cytokine profile and proteome analysis in bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis associated with systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The aim of this study was to analyze the type of immune response (Th1, Th2) and protein composition of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of patients with sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Flow cytometry analysis of intracellular cytokines revealed different patterns: in IPF and SSc Th2 profiles were predominant, whereas in sarcoidosis Th1 prevailed. The proteomic analysis of BAL fluid (BALF) showed that there were quantitative differences between the three diseases.