[Discovery of novel protein biomarkers in early silicosis by proteomics and identification of alpha B-crystallin].

OBJECTIVE: To establish 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) image for the early lung injury rats induced by silica dioxide and to identify differentially expressed protein biomarkers during the early stage of silicosis.
 METHODS: The animal models of silicosis were established and morphology changes were observed by HE staining, and then the key protein biomarkers in silicosis were identified by 2-DE and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and verified by Western blot.
 RESULTS: The well qualified 2-DE gel images for experimental and control lung tissues were successfully established, and 40 different protein spots was observed when comparing the gel images between the experimental and control groups. Twenty of them were analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS. A total of 13 altered proteins were identified, including alpha B-crystallin, mast cell protease 6, annexin 1, etc. The expression of alpha B-crystallin in lung was further verified by Western blot.
 CONCLUSION: The protein expression of alpha B-crystallin was increased significantly, suggesting that it might play an important role in the progress of silicosis.