Table 3.
Summary of proteomic analyses in adult asthmatics.
| Population | Methods | Purpose | Findings | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | ||||
| AIA/ATA/HCs (n = 30/24/21) |
2D-PAGE, MALDI-TOF MS, and ELISA | To investigate differentially expressed proteins in AIA | Identification of distinct protein expression in AIA as complement components, modified albumin, apolipoprotein, PRO2619, hypothetical protein, and SPOCD1 protein. C3a and C4a levels are higher in AIA and correlated with FEV1, suggesting the pathogenic role of complements in AIA. |
[165] |
| Sputum | ||||
| Asthmatics with EIB/those without EIB/HCs (n = 5/5/5) |
LC-MS/MS with GO and network analysis | To determine the contribution of specific proteins to asthma and susceptibility for EIB | 10 up-regulated (SERPINA1) and 7 down-regulated proteins (S100A9, S100A8, SMR3B, and SCGB1A1) in asthmatics are related to defense response, inflammation, and protease inhibitory activity. 9 proteins including C3 and HPX are susceptible to EIB in asthmatics. |
[166] |
| UA/PC/CA/COPD/HCs (n = 20/35/21/21/8) |
2D-PAGE, MALDI-TOF MS, and ELISA | To identify biomarkers for severe UA with neutrophilic inflammation | 6 increased and 7 decreased proteins in severe uncontrolled asthma with neutrophilic inflammation are related to inflammatory/immunity/enzyme activity, cysteine protease inhibitor, signaling, and cytoskeleton functions. S100A9 is suggested as a UA biomarker contributing to neutrophilic airway inflammation and steroid resistance. |
[167] |
| BALF | ||||
| Asthmatics/HCs (n = 4/3) |
SDS-PAGE, nano-HPLC-MS/MS, and ELISA with GO analysis | To verify protein expression changes before and after segmental allergen challenge in asthmatics | Alterations in protein expression related to diverse biological functions after segmental allergen challenge in asthmatics. Several signature proteins released from immune cells (CLC, MBP, EDN, ECP, CRISP-3, and MMP-9) are elevated after challenge. Differentially expressed proteins are involved in various molecular functions (hydrolase activity, protein binding, and calcium ion binding) and biological process (immune response, lipid metabolism, transport, and signal transduction). |
[168] |
| Atopic asthmatics/HCs (n = 6/6) |
2D-PAGE, MALDI-TOF MS, and ELISA with functional analysis | To demonstrate the influences of IL-4 stimulation on gelsolin secretion in BALF of asthmatics | Higher concentrations of IL-4 and gelsolin in BALF of asthmatics. IL-4 treatment induces gelsolin expression in airway epithelial cells of asthmatics for mucus viscosity control and innate antimicrobial activity. |
[169] |
| Asthmatics/HCs (n = 11/19) |
2D-PAGE, SDS-PAGE, and MS/MS | To investigate the oxidative mechanisms in asthmatic airways and allergen-induced mouse models | Lower activity of catalase function in asthmatics contributes to increased oxidative stress, driving chronic and severe airway inflammation. | [170] |
| Mild asthmatics/HCs (n = 4/4) |
Affinity chromatography and ESI LC-MS/MS with functional analysis | To identify the function of galectins in asthmatic airways | Differential airway localization of galectin-3 in epithelium, endothelium, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts, as well as galectin-8 in plasma cells. Distinct profiles of galectin-bound proteins in asthmatics suggest its linkage with eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodeling. |
[171] |
| Bronchial biopsy | ||||
| Asthmatics/HCs (n = 12/3) |
iTRAQ LC-MS/MS with functional and pathway analysis | To determine distinct proteins and related biological pathways related to asthmatics and their alterations by ICS treatment. | Identification of 7 significantly different proteins between asthmatics and HCs related to multiple biological functions (hematological system development/function, lipid metabolism, molecular transport, signaling, and tissue development). ICS treatment alters protein expression related to immune cell trafficking, tissue development, and hematological systems development/function. |
[172] |
AIA, aspirin-induced asthma; ATA, aspirin-tolerant asthma; HCs, healthy controls; EIB, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction; UA, uncontrolled asthma; PC, partially controlled asthma; CA, controlled asthma; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases; 2D-PAGE, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis; MALDI, matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization; TOF, time-of-flight; MS, mass spectrometry; LC, liquid chromatography; HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; ESI, electrospray ionization; iTRAQ, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation; SPOCD1, spen paralogue and orthologue C-terminal domain containing 1; SERPINA1, serpin peptidase inhibitor; S100A9, S100 calcium binding protein A9; S100A8, S100 calcium-binding protein A8; SMR3B, submaxillary gland androgen-regulated protein 3B; SCGB1A1, secretoglobin; HPX, hemopexin; CLC, charcot-leyden crystal protein; MBP, major basic protein; EDN, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin; ECP, eosinophil cationic protein; CRISP-3, cysteine-rich secretory proteins; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9.