title: An improved method for glycosaminoglycan analysis by LC-MS/MS of urine samples collected on filter paper.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mucopolysaccharidoses are complex lysosomal storage disorders caused by any of eleven different enzyme deficiencies resulting in the accumulation of substrates, mainly glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), in various tissues and biological fluids.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed and validated a urine filter paper methodology for the analysis of GAGs using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for mucopolysaccharidoses type I, type II and type VI patients. We focused on 2 objectives: first, its applicability to high-risk screening, and secondly, to facilitate the collection and shipping of samples to reference centers as part of diagnostic investigation, as well as from treated patients needing to be monitored for assessment of the efficacy of treatment. GAGs in urine dried onto filter paper were extracted and subjected to methanolysis to obtain the repeating disaccharides of the molecules. We devised a multiple reaction monitoring method in positive electrospray ionization mode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of deuterated internal standards for dermatan sulfate (DS) and heparan sulfate (HS) reduced a troubling matrix effect. The resulting CVs were <14%. Linearity assessment showed Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.999 and 0.997, for DS and HS, respectively. The stability on filter paper was good for DS and HS for up to 6 weeks at various temperatures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We devised a robust and efficient LC-MS/MS methodology for GAGS quantification in urine dried on filter paper and subjected to environmental conditions likely to be encountered during collection, storage and shipping of specimens from referring physicians to medical centers.
authors.affiliation: Service of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. Christiane.auray-blais@usherbrooke.ca
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Auray-Blais
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.forename: Haoyue
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: Joe T R
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maranda
authors.forename: Sarah P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Millington
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D010209:Paper; D012015:Reference Standards; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans