Label-free quantitative proteomics reveals fibrinopeptide B and heparin cofactor II as potential serum biomarkers in respiratory syncytial virus-infected mice treated with Qingfei oral liquid formula.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections. Qingfei oral liquid (QFOL), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in clinical treatment for RSV-induced pneumonia. The present study was designed to reveal the potential targets and mechanism of action for QFOL by exploring its influence on the host cellular network following RSV infection. We investigated the serum proteomic changes and potential biomarkers in an RSV-infected mouse pneumonia model treated with QFOL. Eighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: RSV pneumonia model group (M), QFOL-treated group (Q) and the control group (C). Serum proteomes were analyzed and compared using a label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 172 protein groups, 1009 proteins, and 1073 unique peptides were successfully identified. 51 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified (15 DEPs when M/C and 43 DEPs when Q/M; 7 DEPs in common). Classification and interaction network showed that these proteins participated in various biological processes including immune response, blood coagulation, complement activation, and so forth. Particularly, fibrinopeptide B (FpB) and heparin cofactor II (HCII) were evaluated as important nodes in the interaction network, which was closely involved in coagulation and inflammation. Further, the FpB level was increased in Group M but decreased in Group Q, while the HCII level exhibited the opposite trend. These findings not only indicated FpB and HCII as potential biomarkers and targets of QFOL in the treatment of RSV pneumonia, but also suggested a regulatory role of QFOL in the RSV-induced disturbance of coagulation and inflammation-coagulation interactions.

Changes of hemostatic factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving combined chemotherapy including high dose methylprednisolone and L-asparaginase.

In this study, protein C (PC), protein S (PS), heparin cofactor II (HCFII), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (PF 1,2), thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and thrombomodulin (TM) were investigated in 19 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, (ALL) receiving combined chemotherapy including L-asparaginase (L-ASP) and high dose methylprednisolone (HDMP). HDMP was administered in doses of 30 mg/kg/day for 7 days, and 20 mg/kg/day for another 7 days. In order to evaluate the effect of HDMP on the hemostatic system, the 8 patients studied here received HDMP (30 mg/kg/day) therapy for 4 days before the combined chemotherapy. These parameters were also studied in 12 healthy children as a control group. PC levels were normal in the patients while PS levels were decreased both before and after combined chemotherapies. Patients with ALL have laboratory signs of coagulation activation such as PF 1,2, TAT prior to initiation of chemotherapy. With combined chemotherapy, TAT levels were found to be normal while PF1,2 were not. TM levels were found to be increased both before and after therapies whereas HCFII and vWF levels were not different from those of the control group. The short course of HDMP therapy did not prominently influence these hemostatic parameters. These results indicate that both the malignant process and the drugs used in combined chemotherapy cause a decrease in natural inhibitors and an increase in procoagulant activity and endothelial injury. These hemostatic changes may contribute to a thrombotic tendency in the patients with ALL.