Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain Research Articles

Relationships between haptoglobin and inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 levels inlocal and peripheral blood and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in bitches withpyometra.

We aimed to assess the usefulness of monitoring inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) and haptoglobin (Hp) in peripheral and local blood in canine pyometra, and evaluation the relationships among acute phase proteins (APPs), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the presence of bacteria. The material was collected from bitches with pyometra and from healthy ones. Blood was taken from the cephalic and uterine veins. APPs levels were quantified by ELISA. In the peripheral circulation, the Hp was higher in animals with open-cervix pyometra (OCP) than in the closed-cervix pyometra (CCP) and the control group. The Hp concentration was not correlated with age, with the presence of SIRS or with the type of bacteria (Gram-negative, Gram-positive or mixed flora). The ITIH4 concentrations in the peripheral blood did not differ significantly in the cases of pyometra. The Hp concentration in the local circulation increased in the OCP but not in the CCP groups, although the histopathological changes in the endometrium were similar. Peripheral Hp concentrations may be a useful tool in differentiating between the types of pyometra.

Amplification of Inflammation by Lubricin Deficiency Implicated in Incident, Erosive Gout Independent of Hyperuricemia.

In gout, hyperuricemia promotes urate crystal deposition, which stimulates the NLRP3 inflammasome and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-mediated arthritis. Incident gout without background hyperuricemia is rarely reported. To identify hyperuricemia-independent mechanisms driving gout incidence and progression, we characterized erosive urate crystalline inflammatory arthritis in a young female patient with normouricemia diagnosed as having sufficient and weighted classification criteria for gout according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/EULAR gout classification criteria (the proband). We conducted whole-genome sequencing, quantitative proteomics, whole-blood RNA-sequencing analysis using serum samples from the proband. We used a mouse model of IL-1β-induced knee synovitis to characterize proband candidate genes, biomarkers, and pathogenic mechanisms of gout. Lubricin level was attenuated in human proband serum and associated with elevated acute-phase reactants and inflammatory whole-blood transcripts and transcriptional pathways. The proband had predicted damaging gene variants of NLRP3 and of inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 3, an inhibitor of lubricin-degrading cathepsin G. Changes in the proband's serum protein interactome network supported enhanced lubricin degradation, with cathepsin G activity increased relative to its inhibitors, SERPINB6 and thrombospondin 1. Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) suppressed levels of lubricin mRNA and lubricin release in cultured human synovial fibroblasts (P < 0.01). Lubricin blunted urate crystal precipitation and IL-1β induction of xanthine oxidase and urate in cultured macrophages (P < 0.001). In lubricin-deficient mice, injection of IL-1β in knees increased xanthine oxidase-positive synovial resident M1 macrophages (P < 0.05). Our findings linked normouricemic erosive gout to attenuated lubricin, with impaired control of cathepsin G activity, compounded by deleterious NLRP3 variants. Lubricin suppressed monosodium urate crystallization and blunted IL-1β-induced increases in xanthine oxidase and urate in macrophages. The collective activities of articular lubricin that could limit incident and erosive gouty arthritis independently of hyperuricemia are subject to disruption by inflammation, activated cathepsin G, and synovial fibroblast TLR-2 signaling.

Longitudinal Change of Serum Inter-α-Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chain H4 and its Relation with Inflammation, Disease Recurrence, and Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) modulates atherosclerosis, lipid, and inflammation, which is involved in the development of acute ischemic stroke. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the longitudinal change and prognostic role of ITIH4 in acute ischemic stroke. In 267 patients with acute ischemic stroke, serum ITIH4 after admission (baseline), the 1st day after admission (D1), D3, D7, and D30, and inflammatory cytokines at baseline were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, serum ITIH4 of 30 controls after enrollment was detected by ELISA. ITIH4 was reduced in acute ischemic stroke patients than controls [median (interquartile range, IQR): 131.0 (95.5-194.3) vs. 418.6 (241.5-506.8) ng/mL] (P < 0.001). Among acute ischemic stroke patients, ITIH4 was negatively associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (r = -0.211, P = 0.001), interleukin (IL)-1β (r = -0.164, P = 0.007), IL-6 (r = -0.121, P = 0.049), and IL-17A (r = -0.188, P = 0.002). ITIH4 presented a decreased trend from admission to D3, then increased from D3 to D30 (P < 0.001). The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year cumulative recurrence rate was 7.5%, 18.0%, and 19.1%, respectively; meanwhile, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year cumulative death rate was 2.2%, 7.1%, and 7.1%, accordingly. The further analysis presented that ITIH4 at baseline (P = 0.002), D1 (P = 0.049), D3 (P = 0.003), D7 (P < 0.001), and D30 (P < 0.001) was decreased in recurrent patients than non-recurrent patients; besides, ITIH4 at D3 (P = 0.017), D7 (P = 0.004), and D30 (P = 0.002), but not at baseline (P = 0.151) or D1 (P = 0.013), was decreased in deaths than survivors. Serum ITIH4 declines at first and then elevates with time, and its reduction is correlated with higher inflammation, increased risk of recurrence and mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients.

A clinical model including protein biomarkers predicts radiographic knee osteoarthritis: a prospective study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

We aimed to provide a model to predict the prospective development of radiographic KOA (rKOA). Baseline sera from 333 non-radiographic KOA subjects belonging to OA Initiative (OAI) who developed or not, rKOA during a follow-up period of 96 months were used in this study. The exploratory cohort included 200 subjects, whereas the replication cohort included 133. The levels of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 1 (ITIH1), complement C3 (C3) and calcyclin (S100A6), identified in previous large proteomic analysis, were analyzed by using sandwich immunoassays on suspension bead arrays. The association of protein levels and clinical covariates with rKOA incidence was assessed by combining logistic regression analysis, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves. Levels of ITIH1, C3 and S100A6 were significantly associated with the prospective development of rKOA, showing an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.713 (0.624-0.802), 0.708 (0.618-0.799) and 0.654 (0.559-0.749), respectively to predict rKOA in the replication cohort. The inclusion of ITIH1 in the clinical model (age, gender, BMI, previous knee injury and WOMAC pain) improved the predictive capacity of the clinical covariates (AUC=0.754 [0.670-0.838]) producing the model with the highest AUC (0.786 [0.705-0.867]) and the highest IDI index (9%). High levels of ITIH1 were also associated with an earlier onset of the disease. A clinical model including protein biomarkers that predicts incident rKOA has been developed. Among the tested biomarkers, ITIH1 showed potential to improve the capacity to predict rKOA incidence in clinical practice.

Analysis of plasma protein biomarkers in childhood onset multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) manifesting before age 18 years is defined as pediatric MS (pMS). We analysed plasma proteins in pMS by an untargeted proteomic approach. Patients with pMS (Group pMS, n = 33), patients with demyelinating disease not meeting pMS diagnostic criteria (unclassified demyelinating disease, Group U, n = 4) and age-matched healthy subjects (Group C, n = 40) were included. Plasma proteomic analysis was performed using Q-TOF LC/MS. Proteins having fold change >1.2 and found to be statistically different (p < 0.05) between the groups were identified and discussed with a clinical perspective. Group pMS had higher alpha 1B glycoprotein (A1BG), complement factor B (CFB), plasminogen (PLG), alpha-2-antiplasmin (α2-AP, SERPINF2), inter alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H2 (ITIH2), and lower centrosomal protein of 290 (CEP290) and F-box/LRR-repeat protein 17 (FBXL17) concentrations than Group C. Measurements from Group U, whose definite diagnoses were established as pMS (n = 3) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (n = 1) on follow-up after the study, were statistically close to the results of Group pMS. Plasma protein changes observed in our study were related to the inflammation, coagulation and oxidative stress pathways. If confirmed and validated in larger groups, these results may indicate potential biomarker(s) for demyelinating diseases at proteome level and could encourage studies for the development of novel diagnostic kits.

Development and validation of an ELISA for the quantification of bovine ITIH4 in serum and milk

Inter alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) is a serum protein belonging to the Inter alpha trypsin inhibitor (ITI) family, which was previously characterized by our group as a new APP in cattle. This protein was firstly described in pigs where is known to be a major acute phase protein, also denominated Pig-MAP. Increases of ITIH4 of up to 12 times the pre-infection values were previously reported in the serum of heifers with experimentally induced summer mastitis. ITIH4 was detected in the milk of cows with mastitis by western blot, but the method previously used to quantify this protein, radial immunodiffusion, was not sensitive enough to quantify it in milk samples. In this study we developed an ELISA method which allows the quantification of bovine ITIH4 in serum and milk samples. Previously developed antibodies were used to perform the assay, including anti bovine ITIH4 polyclonal antibodies and a monoclonal antibody against pig ITIH4 that also recognizes the bovine homologous protein. The ELISA developed showed an adequate precision, with inter and intra- assay coefficients of variation lower than 10% for serum and milk samples. The assay keeps linearity under dilution for both serum and milk samples. A good agreement was observed between the values measured by ELISA and radial immunodiffusion in serum samples.

Identification of novel serum peptide biomarkers for high-altitude adaptation: a comparative approach.

We aimed to identify serum biomarkers for screening individuals who could adapt to high-altitude hypoxia at sea level. HHA (high-altitude hypoxia acclimated; n = 48) and HHI (high-altitude hypoxia illness; n = 48) groups were distinguished at high altitude, routine blood tests were performed for both groups at high altitude and at sea level. Serum biomarkers were identified by comparing serum peptidome profiling between HHI and HHA groups collected at sea level. Routine blood tests revealed the concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells were significantly higher in HHI than in HHA at high altitude. Serum peptidome profiling showed that ten significantly differentially expressed peaks between HHA and HHI at sea level. Three potential serum peptide peaks (m/z values: 1061.91, 1088.33, 4057.63) were further sequence identified as regions of the inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 fragment (ITIH4 347–356), regions of the inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1 fragment (ITIH1 205–214), and isoform 1 of fibrinogen α chain precursor (FGA 588–624). Expression of their full proteins was also tested by ELISA in HHA and HHI samples collected at sea level. Our study provided a novel approach for identifying potential biomarkers for screening people at sea level who can adapt to high altitudes.

Differential regulation of urine proteins in urothelial neoplasm

Urothelial neoplasm of the urinary bladder has a high rate of multifocality and recurrence. To understand this we first need to understand the changes in the molecular level that distinguishes a normal individual from a patient and also a low grade neoplasm from a high grade. In this work we aim to study the urine proteome of Indian patients with urothelial neoplasm categorised on the basis of their p53 immunohistochemistry. The urine samples of pre-operative patients were subjected to two dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by densitometric analysis and spot identification using MALDI mass spectrometry. Our study shows that few proteins such as albumin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, apolipoprotein A1, transferrin, transthyretin, haptoglobin and haemoglobin β chain were upregulated and inter alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain was downregulated in the disease samples. Further we have reported that some of these proteins show an association with disease severity. The present study marks the first step in the identification of new diagnostic markers as well as therapeutic targets. Biological significanceBladder carcinoma is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. It has gained attention within both clinicians and cancer biologists because of its recurrence and mortality rate. Identifying the prognostic factors of progression is a challenge, so that high risk patients who may be a candidate for a radical cystectomy may be identified. In this study we have attempted to study the changes observed in the urinary protein levels of urothelial neoplasm patients. The samples were graded based on p53 immunohistochemistry staining. We have reported eight (8) proteins, mostly highly abundant; those have exhibited differential regulation in case of diseased samples. This study is first of its kind that associates the changes in the urinary protein levels to that of the severity of the disease. We believe that the findings can be used as a stepping stone in the development of a noninvasive prognostic tool for the disease.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics in India.

Time course of inflammatory cytokines in acute ischemic stroke patients and their relation to inter-alfa trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 and outcome

Background:Biomarker for prognosis of stroke is urgently needed for the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.Objective:To evaluate the course of inflammatory cytokines in AIS patients and its comparison with inter-alfa trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) and outcome after AIS.Materials and Methods:A panel of 12 inflammatory cytokines and ITIH4 were estimated in serial blood samples collected at admission, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 144 h and at discharge of AIS patients (n = 5).Results:Out of the 12 cytokines, only interleukin (IL)-2, tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α), IL-10, IL-6, IL-1B and IL-8 were in the measurable range of the kit (10 pg/mL). We found high IL-2 at admission, which decreased (P < 0.05) in the follow-up samples. TNF-α initially increases (P < 0.05) at 24 h followed by gradual decrease (P < 0.05) after 72 h. IL-10 decreases initially (P < 0.05) till 72 h as compared with its level at admission and then increases (P < 0.05) after 144 h. Similarly, ITIH4 was down-regulated in the early 72 h followed by further increase with improvement of the patient. ITIH4 correlates with IL-10 and computed tomography scan infarct volume. Serum IL-6, IL-1B and IL-8 increased in the AIS patients, but did not show any pattern.Conclusions:Serial measurement of IL-10, IL-2 and TNF-α and ITIH4 may be useful for the follow-up of clinical outcome after AIS.

Early diagnostic protein biomarkers for breast cancer: how far have we come?

Many studies have used surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to search for blood-based proteins that are related to the presence of breast cancer. We review the biomarkers discovered or targeted measured by these methods and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these studies. We highlight two proteins that were most often related to breast cancer: C3a des-arginine anaphylatoxin (C3adesArg) (molecular weight: 8,938 Da) and fragments of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4). In addition, we elaborate on three important methodological aspects related to these studies: protein identification, specificity of the markers, and disease heterogeneity. Finally, we propose some points to be addressed in future studies. These include the use of other analytical measurement techniques, need of protein identification, the importance of identical sample handling protocols for cases and controls, and the stratification of the results according to molecular subtypes and stages of breast cancer. Ultimately this may lead to the discovery of new and valid breast cancer specific biomarkers.

Proteomic Analysis of Rat Plasma Following Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia

This study aimed to identify plasma protein changes in a rat model of ischemic stroke using a proteomic approach. Four male Sprague-Dawley rats (3-6 months old) were subjected to 90 min of left middle cerebral artery occlusion under anesthesia with 1.5% isoflurane in O(2)/air followed by 24-h reperfusion. Blood samples (~100 µl) were collected at baseline, at the end of 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion and at 24-h postreperfusion. Brain injuries were assessed by MRI at 24-h postreperfusion. Quantitative comparison of global plasma protein expression was performed using 2D differential in-gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed protein spots were identified using peptide sequencing tandem mass spectrometry. These rats had clear brain infarction in the left hemisphere detected by MRI. Thirty-three protein spots of plasma samples were differentially expressed following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. These protein spots belonged to eight proteins. Six of them (α2-macroglobulin, complement C3, inter-α- trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3, serum albumin, haptoglobin and transthyretin), which are a class of acute-phase proteins, changed significantly. This study describes the responses of young rats to focal cerebral ischemia and suggests that future studies should use aged animals to better mimic the clinical ischemic stroke setting.

Prospective Validation of a Chronic GvHD-Specific Proteome Pattern (cGvHD-MS14) Post Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract 1970 Introduction:Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for many hematologic malignancies and non-malignant hematopoietic disorders, but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality with focus on acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Chronic GvHD (cGvHD) occurs with increasing frequency, hampering quality of life of patients post-allogeneic HSCT and leading to increased morbidity and mortality even years after allogeneic HSCT. Diagnosis of chronic GvHD is based on clinical features and histology. Here we present the generation of cGvHD-specific proteomic pattern (cGvHD-MS14) using capillary electrophoreses and mass spectrometry to analyze urine sample collected prospectively after allogeneic HSCT. Methods:A proteomic pattern (cGvHD-MS14) was developed in order to diagnose cGvHD, to differentiate acute versus cGvHD, and to predict onset and severity of cGvHD prior to clinical diagnosis of cGVHD as a non-invasive, unbiased laboratory test for diagnosis of cGvHD. This pattern was prospectively evaluated on 329 patients (1034 urine samples) after allogeneic HSCT at MHH and 3 collaborating transplant centers. The majority of the patients had acute leukemias prior to transplantation (n=210) and were transplanted from matched unrelated or related donors (MUD n=134; MRD n=125). Reduced intensity conditioning regimens were used in about 75% of all patients and the majority (80%) received ATG (anti-thymocyte globulin) as GVHD-prophylaxis prior to transplantation and a calcineurin-inhibitor based prophylaxis afterwards. Results:Prospective and blinded evaluation revealed the correct classification of patients developing cGvHD with a sensitivity 78% and specificity of about 71% at time of diagnosis. Differentiation between late onset acute GvHD and chronic GvHD was achieved in 3 patients in this validation set. Acute GvHD prior to day 100 is not recognized by cGvHD-MS14, since aGvHD-specific peptides had been excluded during cGvHD-pattern generation. The pattern consists of 14 differentially excreted peptides, differentiating chronic GvHD from tolerant patients. Four of 14 peptides have been sequenced to date, 2 are fragments from collagen 1, 1 is from inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 and 1 is a fragment from the fibrinogen ß-chain. Conclusions:The proteomic pattern of urine proteomics enables diagnosis of cGvHD as well as differentiation of acute versus chronic GvHD. Further prospective evaluation of the cGvHD-specific pattern cGvHD-MS14 for organ specificity as well as severity prediction is currently ongoing.Taken together our results indicate that diagnosis of cGvHD is possible using CE/MS analysis of prospectively collected urine samples with high sensitivity and specificity. Disclosures:Metzger:mosaiques-diagnostics GmbH: Employment. Krons:mosaiques-diagnostics GmbH: Employment.

Searching for early breast cancer biomarkers by serum protein profiling of pre-diagnostic serum; a nested case-control study

BackgroundSerum protein profiles have been investigated frequently to discover early biomarkers for breast cancer. So far, these studies used biological samples collected at or after diagnosis. This may limit these studies' value in the search for cancer biomarkers because of the often advanced tumor stage, and consequently risk of reverse causality. We present for the first time pre-diagnostic serum protein profiles in relation to breast cancer, using the Prospect-EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition) cohort.MethodsIn a nested case-control design we compared 68 women diagnosed with breast cancer within three years after enrollment, with 68 matched controls for differences in serum protein profiles. All samples were analyzed with SELDI-TOF MS (surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry). In a subset of 20 case-control pairs, the serum proteome was identified and relatively quantified using isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantification (iTRAQ) and online two-dimensional nano-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem MS (2D-nanoLC-MS/MS).ResultsTwo SELDI-TOF MS peaks with m/z 3323 and 8939, which probably represent doubly charged apolipoprotein C-I and C3a des-arginine anaphylatoxin (C3adesArg), were higher in pre-diagnostic breast cancer serum (p = 0.02 and p = 0.06, respectively). With 2D-nanoLC-MS/MS, afamin, apolipoprotein E and isoform 1 of inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) were found to be higher in pre-diagnostic breast cancer (p < 0.05), while alpha-2-macroglobulin and ceruloplasmin were lower (p < 0.05). C3adesArg and ITIH4 have previously been related to the presence of symptomatic and/or mammographically detectable breast cancer.ConclusionsWe show that serum protein profiles are already altered up to three years before breast cancer detection.

ITI-H4, as a biomarker in the serum of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as at least three pregnancy losses in series prior to the 20-28 weeks of pregnancy. There are several etiological factors associated with immunology, anatomy, endocrinology, genetic, infection, chromosomal abnormalities, and environmental factors contributing to the condition. The aim of this study was to identify RPL associated factors in human blood using proteomics. Since it is difficult to obtain tissues or follicular fluids, we used blood samples from normal and RPL patients to conduct a comparative proteomic study. Three RPL blood samples and one cocktailed blood sample from 3 normal women were used. We performed 2-DE and selected spots were analyzed with MALDI-TOF/MS. In the three RPL blood samples, 2-DE analysis revealed 549, 563 and 533 spots to be differentially expressed, respectively. Through a comparative analysis between the control and RPL, 21 spots were shown to be differentially expressed. Of these, 5 proteins were confirmed by Western blot analysis. One of these proteins, ITI-H4 (inter-α trypsin inhibitor-heavy chain 4), was weakly expressed at a molecular weight of 120 kDa, but was highly expressed at a modified molecular weight of 36 kDa in RPL patients. These findings suggest that ITI-H4 expression may be used as a biomarker, which could facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Sporadic intracranial aneurysms in patients with relatively proteomics research

Objective To find out the differences on the protein expressions between human intracranial aneurysm and normal adult by way of proteomics. Methods The blood serums were obtained from sporadic aneurysms and normal adults,and then separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE). And the differential protein spots were identified by comparing the aneurysms and normals. And then to analyze the differential protein spots by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF-MS) and The Protein Structure Database. The results were further validated by Western blot on the two selected proteins. Result Fourteen differential proteins were successfully identified, which were expressed significantly and differently in aneurysms and in controls, 11 peptide mass fingerprinting were received, and seven kinds of proteins were recognized. Haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, B factors, serum amyloid protein A and apolipoprotein E precursor group in the expression of aneurysms increased, while Apolipoprotein A-Ⅳ precursors and inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 precursor expression declined. The results of Western blotting were consistent with those of 2D-PAGE.Conclusion Seven proteins were identified with cerebral aneurysms, intracranial aneurysms in order to further clarify the pathophysiological mechanism of the formation of a new idea. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm; Proteomics; 2-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis; MALDI-TOF-MS

Serum Degradome Markers for the Detection of Breast Cancer

Many proteins have been proposed as potential biomarkers for breast cancer. Yet, validation of their discriminative value using quantitative methods has scarcely been performed. In this study, we investigated the discriminative value of six peptides that were previously proposed to be generated by breast cancer specific exoproteases: bradykinin, des-Arg(9)-bradykinin, Hyp(3)-bradykinin, and fragments of fibrinogen alpha-chain (Fib-alpha ([605-629])), complement component 4a (C4a ([1337-1350])), and interalpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4 ([666-687])). Their absolute serum concentrations were measured with a completely validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assay (LC-MS/MS) and compared between 62 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and 62 controls matched for age and sample storage duration. Both ITIH4 ([666-687]) and des-Arg(9)-bradykinin showed statistically significantly higher median concentrations in breast cancer samples than in matched control samples. Additionally, we analyzed serum samples collected after surgical removal of the tumor, in which median ITIH4 ([666-687]) and des-Arg(9)-bradykinin concentrations were significantly decreased and not statistically significantly different from concentrations in the controls anymore. In a combined analysis, ITIH4 (666-687]) and des-Arg(9)-bradykinin independently contributed to the discrimination between cases and controls. In this study, we confirmed that the exoprotease breakdown peptides, ITIH4 (666-687]) and des-Arg(9)-bradykinin, differed between breast cancer cases and controls, supporting the potential of degradome markers for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Classification of cancer types by measuring variants of host response proteins using SELDI serum assays

Protein expression profiling has been increasingly used to discover and characterize biomarkers that can be used for diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic purposes. Most proteomic studies published to date have identified relatively abundant host response proteins as candidate biomarkers, which are often dismissed because of an apparent lack of specificity. We demonstrate that 2 host response proteins previously identified as candidate markers for early stage ovarian cancer, transthyretin and inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4), are posttranslationally modified. These modifications include proteolytic truncation, cysteinylation and glutathionylation. Assays using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) may provide a means to confer specificity to these proteins because of their ability to detect and quantitate multiple posttranslationally modified forms of these proteins in a single assay. Quantitative measurements of these modifications using chromatographic and antibody-based ProteinChip array assays reveal that these posttranslational modifications occur to different extents in different cancers and that multivariate analysis permits the derivation of algorithms to improve the classification of these cancers. We have termed this process host response protein amplification cascade (HRPAC), since the process of synthesis, posttranslational modification and metabolism of host response proteins amplifies the signal of potentially low-abundant biologically active disease markers such as enzymes.

Characteristics of the binding features of Nelin with F-actin and screening Nelin interactive proteins

The interaction of nelin, a cardiac-specific expressed protein of human novel genenelin, with F-actin was studied by both F-actin cosedimentationin vitro and colocalization assays. The results showed that nelin is a new F-actin binding protein and is colocolized with F-actin in cytoplasm of cells. Three new nelin binding proteins, filamin C subtype, titin N2B subtype and inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor heavy chain precursor (ITIH), were identified from human heart cDNA library using yeast two-hybrid screening. The binding activity of filamin C with nelin was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. Filamin C binds to nelin through its C-terminal region. It is indicated that nelin is a cytoskeleton associated protein and acts as a membrane-cytoskeleton associated protein involved in the formation of focal adhesions.

Assignment1 of the porcine inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) gene to SSC13q2.1→q2.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid mapping

Assignment<footref rid="foot01">1</footref> of the porcine inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) gene to SSC13q2.1→q2.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid mapping

ITIH4 Serum Concentration Increases during Acute-Phase Processes in Human Patients and Is Up-Regulated by Interleukin-6 in Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells

The serum concentration of the inter-α trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 protein (ITIH4) increases (from 1.4–3 times) in male patients suffering of different acute-phase processes (myocardial infarction, unstable angina or programmed surgery). The concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in these samples ranged from 15 μg/ml to 133 μg/ml. Using the hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line we have observed up-regulation of ITIH4 mRNA expression upon dose-response treatments with interleukin-6 (IL-6). This effect correlates with the increase of radiolabeled ITIH4 in the cellular media of 35S-labeled HepG2 cells treated with the cytokine. A similar effect was observed for haptoglobin mRNA, used as a control for acute-phase protein expression. IL-1β, although up-regulating the expression of α1-acid glycoprotein in these cells, did not induce any effect in the expression of ITIH4. No changes were observed after TNF-α treatments. The results presented here indicate that ITIH4 is a type II acute-phase protein in humans.