Comparison analysis of malignant and tuberculous pleural fluid using proteomic method

Abstract

Background and Aim: A pleural effusion, an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, usually occurs in patients when the rate of fluid formation exceeds the rate of fluid removal. Interest in the diagnostic utility of proteins present in the pleural effusion has recently increased. The differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion is a difficult task in high tuberculous prevalence areas. The aim of the present study is to identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of pleural fluid using proteomics technology. Methods: We analyzed the proteins in pleural fluid from patients using a technique that combined 2D liquid-phase electrophoresis (2-DE), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Patients with transudative pleural effusions, tuberculous, or malignant effusions were enrolled in the study. Results: We identified a total of 10 proteins with high confidence. Bioinformatics analysis of the MS data identified pathologically relevant proteins and potential diagnostic markers for tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion associated with lung cancer, including trasthyretin, haptoglobin, metastasis-associated protein(MTA)1, t-complex protein 1, Fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 1, human ceruloplasmin, Lysozyme precursor, Gelsolin, Clusterin C complement lysis inhibitor, and Peroxirexdoxin 3. Conclusion: These findings will aid in the development of novel diagnostic tools for tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer and also provide new insight into the diverse functions of proteins in tuberculosis and cancer pathogenesis.