Proteomic analysis of differential protein expression in atherosclerosis

Abstract

Although recent studies have shown that several pro-inflammatory proteins can be used as biomarkers for atherosclerosis, the mechanism of atherogenesis is unclear and little information is available regarding proteins involved in development of the disease. Atherosclerotic tissue samples were collected from patients in order to identify the proteins involved in atherogenesis. The protein expression profile of atherosclerosis patients was analysed using two-dimensional electrophoresis-based proteomics. Thirty-nine proteins were detected that were differentially expressed in the atherosclerotic aorta compared with the normal aorta. Twenty-seven of these proteins were identified in the MS-FIT database. They are involved in a number of biological processes, including calcium-mediated processes, migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, matrix metalloproteinase activation and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Confirmation of differential protein expression was performed by Western blot analysis. Potential applications of the results include the identification and characterization of signalling pathways involved in atherogenesis, and further exploration of the role of selected identified proteins in atherosclerosis.

Identification of lipid droplet-associated proteins in the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells using microarrays

“…The concentration of proteins was determined by the methods of Lowry (Pierce). 5 ) were reaped and incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled monoclonal antibodies against CD68 and CD11b/CD18 (mac-1), which were the macrophage-specific markers (23,24). Then samples were washed with staining buffer and analyzed by flow cytometry on a FACS Calibur (BD Biosciences).…”

Overview of Current Proteomic Approaches for Discovery of Vascular Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis

“…Sung et al analysed non-diseased and atherosclerotic specimens from 7 patients undergoing aorta bypass surgery. They identified a panel of 27 proteins differentially expressed in the atherosclerotic aorta involved in a number of biological processes, including calcium-mediated processes, migration of VSMCs, matrix metalloproteinase activation and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Sung et al, 2006). A different approach was adopted by Martin-Ventura et al who analysed the protein secretion profiles obtained from 35 cultured atherosclerotic plaques (10 femoral, 25 carotids) and 36 control arteries (24 mammary, 12 radial) in the search of new biological markers potentially released by the arterial wall into the plasma (Duran et al, 2003;MartinVentura et al, 2004).…”

The pressure of finding human hypertension genes: new tools, old dilemmas

“…Several groups have reported on the application of proteomics techniques to analyse tissue or plaque specimens to study cardiovascular disease providing new insights into disease-related pathways. [45][46][47][48] Several studies have focused on the analysis of body fluids derived through minimally invasive means. These studies were either based on pooled blood specimens, 49,50 making individual sample classification impossible, or they included small patient cohorts without blinded studies for validation.…”