Identification of a novel biomarker candidate, a 4.8-kDa peptide fragment from a neurosecretory protein VGF precursor, by proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from children with acute encephalopathy using SELDI-TOF-MS

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute encephalopathy includes rapid deterioration and has a poor prognosis. Early intervention is essential to prevent progression of the disease and subsequent neurologic complications. However, in the acute period, true encephalopathy cannot easily be differentiated from febrile seizures, especially febrile seizures of the complex type. Thus, an early diagnostic marker has been sought in order to enable early intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel marker candidate protein differentially expressed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with encephalopathy using proteomic analysis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For detection of biomarkers, CSF samples were obtained from 13 children with acute encephalopathy and 42 children with febrile seizure. Mass spectral data were generated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) technology, which is currently applied in many fields of biological and medical sciences. Diagnosis was made by at least two pediatric neurologists based on the clinical findings and routine examinations. All specimens were collected for diagnostic tests and the remaining portion of the specimens were used for the SELDI-TOF MS investigations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In experiment 1, CSF from patients with febrile seizures (n = 28), patients with encephalopathy (n = 8) (including influenza encephalopathy (n = 3), encephalopathy due to rotavirus (n = 1), human herpes virus 6 (n = 1)) were used for the SELDI analysis. In experiment 2, SELDI analysis was performed on CSF from a second set of febrile seizure patients (n = 14) and encephalopathy patients (n = 5). We found that the peak with an m/z of 4810 contributed the most to the separation of the two groups. After purification and identification of the 4.8-kDa protein, a 4.8-kDa proteolytic peptide fragment from the neurosecretory protein VGF precursor (VGF4.8) was identified as a novel biomarker for encephalopathy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Expression of VGF4.8 has been reported to be decreased in pathologically degenerative changes such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia, and encephalopathy. Thus, the VGF4.8 peptide might be a novel marker for degenerative brain conditions.</p

A translational approach to studying preterm labour

Preterm labour continues to be a major contributor to neonatal and infant morbidity. Recent data from the USA indicate that the number of preterm deliveries (including those associated with preterm labour) has risen in the last 20 years by 30%. This increase is despite considerable efforts to introduce new therapies for the prevention and treatment of preterm labour and highlights the need to assess research in this area from a fresh perspective. In this paper we discuss i) the limitations of our knowledge concerning prediction, prevention and treatment of preterm labour and ii) future multidisciplinary strategies for improving our approach

Reductionist and system approaches to study the role of infection in preterm labor and delivery

A substantial number of patients with preterm labor and delivery do not show clinical signs of infection, however, it is the subclinical form which is the main causative factor and often results in premature delivery. The hitherto commonly applied methods of inflammation detection are based either on potentially hazardous amniocentesis or still insufficient inflammation-related protein measurement in the serum or other biological fluids

An Inducer of VGF Protects Cells against ER Stress-Induced Cell Death and Prolongs Survival in the Mutant SOD1 Animal Models of Familial ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequent adult-onset motor neuron disease, and recent evidence has suggested that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. Here we identified a small molecule, SUN N8075, which has a marked protective effect on ER stress-induced cell death, in an in vitro cell-based screening, and its protective mechanism was mediated by an induction of VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF): VGF knockdown with siRNA completely abolished the protective effect of SUN N8075 against ER-induced cell death, and overexpression of VGF inhibited ER-stress-induced cell death. VGF level was lower in the spinal cords of sporadic ALS patients than in the control patients. Furthermore, SUN N8075 slowed disease progression and prolonged survival in mutant SOD1 transgenic mouse and rat models of ALS, preventing the decrease of VGF expression in the spinal cords of ALS mice. These data suggest that VGF plays a critical role in motor neuron survival and may be a potential new therapeutic target for ALS, and SUN N8075 may become a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of ALS

Identification of CSF biomarkers for frontotemporal dementia using SELDI-TOF

This investigation describes the discovery of novel possible cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for frontotemporal dementia (FTD) using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). Sixteen clinically diagnosed FTD patients and 12 non-demented controls were included in the study. CSF was collected and analyzed for protein expression by SELDI-TOF MS. The samples were analyzed on four different array surfaces using two different energy-absorbing molecules as matrices. In total each sample was subjected to eight different surface/matrix conditions. About 2000 protein peaks (mass/charge ratios) were detected. Forty-two peaks were differentially expressed in FTD (P < 0.01). After exclusion of peaks with low signal-to-noise ratio and/or poor resolution and peaks representing differentially charged proteins, 10 peaks remained, five of which were increased and five decreased in FTD cases compared to controls. Using partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the combination of these biomarkers discriminated FTD from non-demented controls with a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 83% and an accuracy of 89%. Five of the peaks were purified further and identified by tandem MS as a fragment of neurosecretory protein VGF, transthyretin, S-cysteinylated transthyretin, truncated cystatin C and a fragment of chromogranin B. With use of these potential biomarkers, FTD can be distinguished from control subjects with high accuracy in this pilot study

Scanning Probe Microscopy for Industrial Applications: Selected Examples

DAMMER U, Anselmetti D, DREIER M, et al. Scanning Probe Microscopy for Industrial Applications: Selected Examples. Scanning. 1993;15(5):257-264.Some examples are selected to demonstrate the variety of possible scanning probe microscopy application in industry. Magnetic and magnetooptical storage media can be investigated by magnetic force microscopy, whereas a conventional scanning force microscope is used to examine surface features of many different materials, such as technical glasses, photosensitive materials, new superconductors, and biomolecules. Some other examples include the modification as well as the observation of liquid crystal devices, and the impact that scanning probe microscopy has on other techniques such as high precision stepping motors and high quality electron beam sources