Identification of Novel Biomarkers for Post-Kasai Portoenterostomy in Biliary Atresia through Shotgun Proteomics Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Biliary Atresia (BA) causes neonatal cholestasis jaundice. The primary therapeutic treatment for BA is the Kasai portoenterostomy. Current diagnostic approaches for BA are imprecise and time-consuming, making early diagnosis crucial for successful treatment outcomes. Objective: This study aims to analyze proteins from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) obtained from children with BA compared with healthy children Methods and Study Design: We employed a large-scale, total shotgun quantitative serum proteomics approach to analyze the protein from PBMC samples from a discovery cohort. This approach allowed for the simultaneous identification and quantification of multiple proteins, enabling the detection of disease-specific protein expression patterns. The study is proteomic-based study. Results: We identified 24 proteins, by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis that exhibited high discriminatory power for five subjects with BA post-Kasai operation compared to ten healthy controls. ATP2A3, LIN28B, SLC25A3, ITGB3, COX5A, and HLA-B identified proteins of upregulation were predicted to associate with BA post-Kasai operation. Discussion: Our findings highlight the utility of proteomic techniques in BA research. The identified proteomic markers offer promise for improving BA diagnostic accuracy and timeliness, leading to enhanced treatment outcomes for affected children. Conclusion: Proteomic analysis revealed a set of potential biomarkers for early and accurate diagnosis of biliary atresia. These biomarkers hold significant clinical value and have the potential to transform the management of biliary atresia by facilitating timely intervention and improving patient outcomes.