Proteomics in rheumatology: a new direction for old diseases.
OBJECTIVE
Completion of the human genome project has stimulated scientists to begin looking for the next step in unraveling normal and abnormal functions within biological systems. Consequently, there is new focus on the role of proteins in these processes. Proteomics is a rapidly growing field that may provide a valuable approach to evaluate the field of rheumatology. The objectives of this article is to provide an overview of biophysical techniques, as "re-invented" research tools, as applied to the investigation of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.


METHODS
MEDLINE search of articles in English-language journals from 1966 to 2004. The index words "Rheumatoid/osteoarthritis/connective tissue disorders" and the following co-indexing terms were used: "mass spec," "NMR," "SPR" and "Proteomics." Papers identified were reviewed, abstracted, and summarized. The authors' own work in the field is also presented.


RESULTS
As we move into the postgenomics era, new and exciting tools are being developed to study protein expression and protein interactions and identify new biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Proteomics is an emerging field with widespread potential applications to rheumatic disease.


CONCLUSIONS
In this review the biophysical techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance as proteomic tools in the study of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis were reviewed. What is emerging is the identification of new biomarkers with clinical and therapeutic relevance.
Ali
Marina
M
Department of Rheumatology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney NSW Australia.
Manolios
Nicholas
N
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000379:methods*; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000379:methods
D011506:Proteins