Analysis of Differentially Expressed Proteins Involved in Autoimmune Cirrhosis and Normal Serum by iTRAQ Proteomics.

PURPOSE: In order to study the candidate biomarkers in autoimmune cirrhosis (AIC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Isobaric tags are first implemented for relative and absolute quantitation technology on proteins prepared from serum obtained from AIC and normal controls. Proteins found to be differentially expressed are identified with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry by using a Q Exactive classic ion trap mass spectrometer. RESULTS: 108 proteins (32 upregulated and 76 downregulated proteins) are identified from AIC samples, compared with the normal controls. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and protein-protein interaction map by STRING show that they associate with multiple functional groups, including ion binding activity, peptidase activity, and enzyme regulator activity. Finally, the von Willebrand factor, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein complex acid labile subunit, transthyretin, adiponectin proteins are identified with western blot as candidate biomarkers for AIC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings offer a comprehensive profile of the AIC proteome about candidate biomarkers and provide a useful basis for further analysis of the pathogenic mechanism of AIC.