ProteoGenix Publishes Four Landmark Articles on Diagnostic Applications for Pregnancy in Journal of Proteome Research

Proteomic Analysis of Maternal Serum in Down Syndrome: Identification of Novel Protein Biomarkers
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Down syndrome (DS) is the most prevalent chromosomal disorder, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality. Definitive diagnosis requires invasive amniocentesis, and current maternal serum-based testing requires a false-positive rate of about 5% to detect 85% of affected pregnancies. We have performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis to identify potential serum biomarkers to detect DS. First- and second-trimester maternal serum samples of DS and gestational age-matched controls were analyzed using multiple, complementary proteomic approaches, including fluorescence 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), 2-dimensional liquid chromatography-chromatofocusing (2D-CF), multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT; LC/LC-MS/MS), and MALDI-TOF-MS peptide profiling. In total, 28 and 26 proteins were differentially present in first- and second-trimester samples, respectively. Of these, 19 were specific for the first trimester and 16 for the second trimester, and 10 were differentially present in both trimesters. Analysis of MALDI-TOF-MS peptide profiles with pattern recognition software also discriminated between DS and controls in both trimesters, with an average recognition capability approaching 96%. A majority of the biomarkers identified are serum glycoproteins that may play a role in cellular differentiation and growth of fetus. Further characterization and quantification of these markers in a larger cohort of subjects may provide the basis for new tests for improved DS screening.

Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of Human Cervical-Vaginal Fluid
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Cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF) is a potential rich source of biomarkers for enhancing our understanding of human parturition and pathologic conditions affecting pregnancy. In this study, we performed a comprehensive survey of the CVF proteome in pregnancy utilizing multidimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) coupled with mass spectrometry and gel-electrophoresis-based protein separation and identification. In total, 150 unique proteins were identified using multiple protein identification algorithms. Metabolism (32%) and immune response-related (22%) proteins are the major functional categories represented in the CVF proteome. A comparison of the CVF, serum, and amniotic fluid proteomes showed that 77 proteins are unique to CVF, while 56 and 17 CVF proteins also occur in serum and amniotic fluid, respectively. This data set provides a foundation for evaluation of these proteins as potential CVF biomarkers for noninvasive diagnosis of pregnancy-related disorders.

Identification of Novel Protein Biomarkers of Preterm Birth in Human Cervical-Vaginal Fluid
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Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, the diagnosis of preterm labor (PTL) that leads to preterm birth is difficult, and there is a pressing need for improved diagnosis. We utilized multidimensional liquid chromatography-tandemmass spectrometry (LC/LC-MS/MS; MudPIT) and Fluorescence two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2DDIGE) to identify potential biomarkers of PTL and SPTB. MudPIT analysis identified 205 proteins in cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF), 28 of which exhibited significant differences in pairwise and progressive comparisons. Calgranulins, annexins, S100 calcium-binding protein A7, and epidermal fatty acid binding protein were abundant in CVF and differentially present in PTL and SPTB samples, as were the serum proteins R-1-antitrypsin, R1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, serotransferrin, and vitamin D binding protein. 2D-DIGE identified 17 proteins that were significantly differentially present in PTL and SPTB. Immunoblotting with specific antibodies confirmed the differences and trends of selected markers. Further characterization and quantification of these markers in a larger cohort of subjects may provide the basis for new tests for the early, noninvasive positive prediction of SPTB.

Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of the Human Amniotic Fluid Proteome: Gestational Age-Dependent Changes
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Amniotic fluid (AF) is a significant contributor to fetal health and constitutes a potential rich source of biomarkers for diagnosis of maternal and fetal disorders. In this study, we performed a comprehensive survey of the proteins expressed in AF, combining gel and liquid-based fractionation approaches coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis. Two-dimensional Liquid Chromatography (2D-LC) analysis identified 118 nonredundant proteins with high confidence. One- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and ingel digestion identified 101 proteins. Combining both sets resulted in 219 proteins, of which 96 are unique to AF; 70, 18, and 35 proteins are present in serum, cervico-vaginal fluid, and all three fluids, respectively. Fluorescence two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) comparison of first-, second-, and third-trimester AF samples revealed that maximal differences in the relative abundance of AF proteins occur between the first and second trimesters. A systematic analysis of proteins present both in AF and maternal serum could lead to the development of new noninvasive diagnostic procedures to monitor fetal status.