Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and MMP-7 has been described as a useful biomarker for IPF. However, little is known regarding the significance of MMP-10 as a biomarker for IPF. This observational cohort study included 57 patients with IPF. Serum MMPs were comprehensively measured in all patients, and the relationships between these markers and both disease severity and prognosis were evaluated. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) MMP-7 and -10 levels were measured in 19 patients to investigate the correlation between these markers and their corresponding serum values. Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-10 was also performed in IPF lung tissue. Serum MMP-7 and -10 levels correlated significantly with both the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (ρ = −0.31, p = 0.02 and ρ = −0.34, p < 0.01, respectively) and the percentage of predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (ρ = −0.32, p = 0.02 and ρ = −0.43, p < 0.01, respectively). BALF MMP-7 and -10 levels correlated with their corresponding serum concentrations. Only serum MMP-10 predicted clinical deterioration within 6 months and overall survival. In IPF lungs, the expression of MMP-10 was enhanced and localized to the alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, and peripheral bronchiolar epithelial cells. MMP-10 may be a novel biomarker reflecting both disease severity and prognosis in patients with IPF.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypical autoimmune disease in which dysregulation of B cells has been recognized. Here, we searched for potential biomarkers of SLE using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Lymph nodes from SLE patients and controls were analyzed by LC-MS. To validate the identified molecules, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were performed and B cells from SLE patients were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. B-cell subsets from NZB/W F1 mice, which exhibit autoimmune disease resembling human SLE, were analyzed by flow cytometry. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was induced by tunicamycin and the serum concentration of anti-dsDNA antibodies was determined by ELISA. TUNEL methods and immunoblotting were used to assess the effect of tunicamycin. MZB1, which comprises part of a B-cell-specific ER chaperone complex and is a key player in antibody secretion, was one of the differentially expressed proteins identified by LC-MS and confirmed by immunoblotting. Immunohistochemically, larger numbers of MZB1⁺ cells were located mainly in interfollicular areas and scattered in germinal centers in specimens from SLE patients compared with those from controls. MZB1 colocalized with CD138⁺ plasma cells and IRTA1⁺ marginal zone B cells. MZB1 mRNA was increased by 2.1-fold in B cells of SLE patients with active disease (SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 ≥ 6) compared with controls. In aged NZB/W F1 mice, splenic marginal zone B cells and plasma cells showed elevated MZB1 levels. Tunicamycin induced apoptosis of MZB1⁺ cells in target organs, resulting in decreased serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels. Additionally, MZB1⁺ cells were increased in synovial tissue specimens from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. MZB1 may be a potential therapeutic target in excessive antibody-secreting cells in SLE.

Background: Few proteomic studies have examined human cardiac tissue following acute lethal infarction. Here, we applied a novel proteomic approach to formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded human tissue and aimed to reveal the molecular changes in the very early phase of acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results: Heart tissue samples were collected from 5 patients who died within 7 hours of myocardial infarction and from 5 age‐ and sex‐matched control cases. Infarcted and control myocardia were histopathologically diagnosed and captured using laser microdissection. Proteins were extracted using an originally established method and analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The label‐free quantification demonstrated that the levels of 21 proteins differed significantly between patients and controls. In addition to known biomarkers, the sarcoplasmic protein sorbin and SH 3 domain‐containing protein 2 ( SORBS 2) was greatly reduced in infarcted myocardia. Immunohistochemical analysis of cardiac tissues confirmed the decrease, and Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in serum sorbin and SH 3 domain‐containing protein 2 in acute myocardial infarction patients (n=10) compared with control cases (n=11). Conclusions: Our advanced comprehensive analysis using patient tissues and serums indicated that sarcoplasmic sorbin and SH 3 domain‐containing protein 2 is released from damaged cardiac tissue into the bloodstream upon lethal acute myocardial infarction. The proteomic strategy presented here is based on precise microscopic findings and is quite useful for candidate biomarker discovery using human tissue samples stored in depositories.

Introduction: The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is considered to be a potential therapeutic agent for prevention of cerebral ischemia. Ischemia is a most common cause of death after heart attack and cancer causing major negative social and economic consequences. This study was designed to investigate the effect of PACAP38 injection intracerebroventrically in a mouse model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAO) along with corresponding SHAM control that used 0.9% saline injection. Methods: Ischemic and non-ischemic brain tissues were sampled at 6 and 24 hours post-treatment. Following behavioral analyses to confirm whether the ischemia has occurred, we investigated the genome-wide changes in gene and protein expression using DNA microarray chip (4x44K, Agilent) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) coupled with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), respectively. Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining were also used to further examine the identified protein factor. Results: Our results revealed numerous changes in the transcriptome of ischemic hemisphere (ipsilateral) treated with PACAP38 compared to the saline-injected SHAM control hemisphere (contralateral). Previously known (such as the interleukin family) and novel (Gabra6, Crtam) genes were identified under PACAP influence. In parallel, 2-DGE analysis revealed a highly expressed protein spot in the ischemic hemisphere that was identified as dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (DPYL2). The DPYL2, also known as Crmp2, is a marker for the axonal growth and nerve development. Interestingly, PACAP treatment slightly increased its abundance (by 2-DGE and immunostaining) at 6 h but not at 24 h in the ischemic hemisphere, suggesting PACAP activates neuronal defense mechanism early on. Conclusions: This study provides a detailed inventory of PACAP influenced gene expressions and protein targets in mice ischemic brain, and suggests new targets for thereaupetic interventions.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization image mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) has been developed for the identification of peptides in various tissues. The MALDI-IMS signal distribution patterns and quantification of the signal intensities of the regions of interest (ROI) with healthy regions were compared for identification of the disease specific biomarkers. We performed a new ROI analysis using the conventional t-test and data number independent Cohen’s d-value analysis. Using these techniques, we analysed heart tissues after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). As a result, IMS signals of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthase alpha subunit (ATP5A), myosin-6/7(MYH6/7), aortic actin, and the myosin light chain 3 (MYL3) were identified in the infarcted region. In particular, the signals of MYH7 are significantly greater in the infarcted region using ROI analysis. ROI analysis using MALDI-IMS may be a promising technique for the identification of biomarkers for pathological studies that involve the comparison of diseased and control areas.

Fiz1 and Hipk2 contribute to lymphomagenesis via activation of IL-7 signaling pathway. IL-7R, FLT3, and CD43 are surface antigens expressed during the transition from pro-B to pre-B cells in BM. To understand interactions between their signaling pathways, we analyzed spontaneous mouse B-LBLs with dual MLV integration into Stat5a and Fiz1 or Stat5a and Hipk2. MLV integration resulted in up-regulation of these genes in lymphoma cells compared with normal pro-B cells from the BM. In lymphomas with both integrations into Stat5a and Fiz1, increases in phosphorylated STAT5A and expression of c-Myc, a target gene of STAT5A, were observed following stimulation of the FLT3. Clones with the dual integrations grew faster in IL-7 and FLT3L-supplemented medium than clones with Stat5a integration alone. On the other hand, in lymphomas with integrations into Stat5a and Hipk2, increases in phosphorylated STAT5A and expression of c-Myc were observed following cross-linking of CD43. In conclusion, FLT3 and CD43 signaling pathways involve STAT5A via Fiz1 and Hipk2 in B-LBLs. Identification of the dual MLV integration sites in B-LBLs, therefore, will provide an excellent tool for identification of the signaling pathways in B-LBLs.