The association of a distinct plasma proteomic profile with the cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion of Uyghur women: a 2D liquid-phase chromatography/mass spectrometry study

Abstract

Objective: To identify plasma protein biomarkers of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) of Uyghur women by proteomics approach.

Methods: Plasma protein samples of Uyghur women with HSIL and chronic cervicitis were analyzed with 2D HPLC followed by detection of target proteins with Linear Trap Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LTQ MS/MS).

Results: We detected three upregulated and one downregulated protein peaks representing protein constituents distinguishing HSIL from controls by 2D HPLC, identified 31 target proteins by LTQ MS/MS. Further confirmed analysis with online software IPA^® 8.7 and ELISA assay showed APOA1 and mTOR as potential biomarkers.

Conclusions: A distinct plasma proteomic profile may be associated with HSIL of Uyghur women.

Keywords::

• Low abundant plasma proteome
• Uyghur women
• high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
• biomarkers
• 2D liquid-phase chromatography

Acknowledgments

The authors like to thank Anaerguli Ababaikeli at the Department of Gynecology of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital at Xinjiang Medical University for their assistance in sample collection. They also thank the Beijing Proteome Research Center for instrumental resources and mass spectrometry analysis. GX wrote the main manuscript, performed the most of the experiments and carried out analysis of the data. GA participated in clinical sample and data collection. NK performed and contributed to the 2D HPLC analysis. HR contributed to the revision of the manuscript draft. WGZ contributed to maintenance and repair equipment. AA participated in the design of the experiments, supervised the data analysis and interpretation, and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors gratefully acknowledge grants from High and New Technology Development Fund of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (200910106). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.