title: MALDI imaging mass spectrometry in glomerulonephritis: feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The in-situ proteomics technology known as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) is a powerful technique that combines traditional histology and proteomics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MALDI-IMS was applied to routine diagnostic kidney biopsies in a small group of cases of membranous glomerulonephritis and minimal change disease. Molecular changes were observed not only in the tissue areas with pathological alterations, but also in morphologically normal-looking tissue, highlighting the potential feasibility of using MALDI-IMS as a tool in nephropathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technology can be applied to any biopsy where a frozen section is obtained as part of the diagnostic process. Although we do not yet know the molecular identity of the differentially expressed proteins/peptides, they could represent powerful classifiers of nosological groups.
authors.affiliation: Proteomics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mainini
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pagni
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrario
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pieruzzi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cattoretti
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magni
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
keywords: glomerular disease; glomerulonephritis; proteomics