Protein detection in dried blood by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS).
BACKGROUND
The rapid and reliable identification of biomarkers in the smallest possible amount of blood remains a challenge in biomarker epidemiological research involving preterm newborns.


OBJECTIVE
We wanted to explore whether the proteomics approach of 'surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry' (SELDI-TOF MS) is possible and feasible in whole cord blood previously dried on filter paper.


METHODS
Umbilical cord blood from 7 healthy newborns was frozen as serum, whole blood (with or without additives), or dried on filter paper (with or without additives). We used the SELDI-TOF MS technique for protein detection on the ProteinChip arrays: weak cationic exchange array (CM10), hydrophobic array (H50), and strong anion exchange array (Q10). Profiles were compared in terms of peak intensity and number of resolved peaks.


RESULTS
Dried neonatal blood, eluted from filter paper, revealed profiles similar to the profiles derived from serum at a protein range of 3-10 kDa. Among additives, heparin led to highest peak intensities for both blood and dried blood. Spectra from heparinized whole blood and heparinized dried blood from the umbilical cord of 8 different healthy newborns on three different types of ProteinChip arrays were very similar.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that it is possible and feasible to use SELDI-TOF MS for recovery and detection of whole proteins from dried blood collected on filter paper. The method is easy to perform in large groups of newborns, minimizing the amount of blood needed for biomarker studies. The validity and reproducibility of this method needs to be studied in detail.
Dammann
Christiane E L
CE
Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. dammann.christiane@mh-hannover.de
Meyer
Markus
M
Dammann
Olaf
O
von Neuhoff
Nils
N
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D019343:Citric Acid; D003890:Desiccation; D004492:Edetic Acid; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008832:Microchemistry; D010209:Paper; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001798:Blood Proteins; D019343:Citric Acid; D006493:Heparin; D004492:Edetic Acid