Differentially expressed serum haptoglobin alpha chain isoforms with potential application for diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
The discovery of molecular biomarkers is crucial to the diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).


METHODS
Proteins from pre-surgery serum samples of patients with HNSCC and healthy individuals were analyzed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) using a 17 cm-long immobilized pH gradient gel strip (large gel). The differentially expressed protein spots were detected by statistical analysis. Because 2 haptoglobin (Hp) alpha chains were found to be differentially expressed, the genotypic distribution of Hp alpha chains in patients and healthy individuals was assayed by polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression levels of Hp alpha chains in individuals carrying different Hp alleles were analyzed by 2-DE with a small gel.


RESULTS
Two isoforms of haptoglobin alpha2 chain (Hp alpha2) in patients' sera were found from 2-DE analysis to be up-regulated, while the isoforms of haptoglobin alpha1 chain (Hp alpha1) were significantly down-regulated. Apolipoprotein AII and 2 isoforms of apolipoprotein CII were also differentially expressed in the sera of patients with HNSCC. The Hp alpha2 chain was significantly up-regulated in the patients carrying at least one haptoglobin 2 allele, according to the spot intensities from scanned images of small-gel 2-DE.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression pattern of seven differentially expressed polypeptides and the up-regulation of Hp alpha2 in individuals with the Hp 2 allele are potential biomarkers.
Chen
Chao-Bin
CB
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Su
Yu-Chieh
YC
Huang
Tze-Ta
TT
Ho
Hsu-Chueh
HC
Chang
Ya-Ting
YT
Tung
Ya-Ting
YT
Lee
Wen-Chien
WC
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D016633:Apolipoprotein A-II / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D001056:Apolipoproteins C / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D023281:Genomics; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D007536:Isomerism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D020543:Proteome / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016622:Silver Staining; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D055815:Young Adult
D016633:Apolipoprotein A-II; D001056:Apolipoproteins C; D015415:Biomarkers; C485359:HP protein, human; D006242:Haptoglobins; D020543:Proteome