Amino Acid Analysis by Means of MALDI TOF Mass Spectrometry or MALDI TOF/TOF Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Here we describe two different AAA protocols based on application of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). First protocol describes a MALDI TOF MS-based method for a routine simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of free amino acids and protein hydrolysates. Linear responses between the amino acid concentration and the peak intensity ratio of corresponding amino acid to internal standard were observed for all amino acids analyzed in the range of concentrations from 20 to 300 µM. Limit of quantitation varied from 0.03 µM for arginine to 3.7 µM for histidine and homocysteine. This method has one inherent limitation: the analysis of isomeric and isobaric amino acids. To solve this problem, a second protocol based on the use of MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS for qualitative analysis of amino and organic acids was developed. This technique is capable of distinguishing isobaric and isomeric compounds. Both methods do not require amino acid derivatization or chromatographic separation, and the data acquisition time is decreased to several seconds for a single sample.

Impact of Influenza A Virus Infection on the Proteomes of Human Bronchoepithelial Cells from Different Donors.

Susceptibility to influenza A virus is determined by a balance of viral and host factors. The genetic background of the host contributes to the severity of disease, but the influenza-related proteomes of cells from different individuals have not been compared. We used high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify proteins in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells isolated from three different donors. Infection of each NHBE cell culture with influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) resulted in expression of viral proteins and a variety of host proteins, including interferons, interferon-stimulated genes, and secreted chemokines/cytokines. The expression level of viral proteins corresponded to the level of host proteins that support influenza infection (i.e., pro-viral proteins); however, production of infectious virus was inversely related to the levels of antiviral proteins, suggesting that a balance of pro-viral proteins and the antiviral response controls virus replication. In summary, our results demonstrate that expression levels of pro-viral as well as antiviral factors are different for each donor and suggest that relative quantitation of these factors may provide a way to identify individuals or population groups who are susceptible to severe influenza disease.

The proteomic dataset for bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stromal cells: Effect of in vitro passaging.

Bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) have been in clinical trials for therapy. One major bottleneck in the advancement of BMSC-based products is the challenge associated with cell isolation, characterization, and ensuring cell fitness over the course of in vitro cell propagation steps. The data in this report is part of publications that explored the proteomic changes following in vitro passaging of BMSCs [4] and the molecular heterogeneity in cultures obtained from different human donors [5], [6].The methodological details involving cell manufacturing, proteome harvesting, protein identification and quantification as well as the bioinformatic analyses were described to ensure reproducibility of the results.

System-wide survey of proteomic responses of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) to in vitro cultivation.

Human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs, also loosely called bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells) are the subject of increasing numbers of clinical trials and laboratory research. Our group recently reported on the optimization of a workflow for a sensitive proteomic study of hBMSCs. Here, we couple this workflow with a label-free protein quantitation method to investigate the molecular responses of hBMSCs to long-term in vitro passaging. We explored the proteomic responses of hBMSCs by assessing the expression levels of proteins at early passage (passage 3, P3) and late passage (P7). We used multiple biological as well as technical replicates to ensure that the detected proteomic changes are repeatable between cultures and thus likely to be biologically relevant. Over 1700 proteins were quantified at three passages and a list of differentially expressed proteins was compiled. Bioinformatics-based network analysis and term enrichment revealed that metabolic pathways are largely altered, where many proteins in the glycolytic, pentose phosphate, and TCA pathways were shown to be largely upregulated in late passages. We also observed significant proteomic alterations in functional categories including apoptosis, and ER-based protein processing and sorting following in vitro cell aging. We posit that the comprehensive map outlined in this report of affected phenotypes as well as the underpinning molecular factors tremendously benefit the effort to uncovering targets that are not just used only to monitor cell fitness but can be employed to slowdown the in vitro aging process in hBMSCs and hence ensure manufacturing of cells with known quality, efficacy and stability.

Development of a protein marker panel for characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using global quantitative proteome analysis.

The emergence of new methods for reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) led to the development of new approaches in drug discovery and regenerative medicine. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the self-renewal, expansion and differentiation of human iPSC (hiPSC) should lead to improvements in the manufacture of safe and reliable cell therapy products. The goal of our study was qualitative and quantitative proteomic characterizations of hiPSC by means of electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS(e) and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry (MS). Proteomes of hiPSCs of different somatic origins: fibroblasts and peripheral blood CD34(+) cells, reprogrammed by the same technique, were compared with the original somatic cells and hESC. Quantitative proteomic comparison revealed approximately 220 proteins commonly up-regulated in all three pluripotent stem cell lines compared to the primary cells. Expression of 21 proteins previously reported as pluripotency markers was up-regulated in both hiPSCs (8 were confirmed by Western blot). A number of novel candidate marker proteins with the highest fold-change difference between hiPSCs/hESC and somatic cells discovered by MS were confirmed by Western blot. A panel of 22 candidate marker proteins of hiPSC was developed and expression of these proteins was confirmed in 8 additional hiPSC lines.

Stability of neuraminidase in inactivated influenza vaccines.

Influenza vaccines are effective in protecting against illness and death caused by this seasonal pathogen. Antibodies that block the function of either hemagglutinin (HA) or neuraminidase (NA) contribute to vaccine efficacy, however vaccine potency is based only on HA content. NA protein content in vaccines varies from season to season due to differences in the relative amounts of HA and NA in influenza A, H1N1 and H3N2, and influenza B viruses that are selected for each manufacturing campaign. This, as well as potential inherent differences in NA immunogenicity, may result in varying responses from year to year. Moreover, the antigenic stability of NA is likely to dictate whether similar antibody responses will be obtained to this antigen throughout the shelf-life of the vaccine. To address this factor, we subjected NAs of influenza A (subtypes N1 and N2) and B viruses to denaturing conditions to evaluate the stability of enzyme activity. Each NA type/subtype had unique sensitivity to denaturing conditions. The N2 enzyme activity was more thermostable than that of N1 or influenza B, while the NA activity of influenza B was most resistant to detergent. N1 enzyme activity was most resistant of the three NAs to freeze-thaw cycling. In these experiments, enzyme activity was indicative of the immunogenicity of NA, but was strain-dependent, with greater neuraminidase inhibiting (NI) antibody titers elicited following immunization with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus A/California/7/2009, than the previously circulating seasonal H1N1 strain, A/Brisbane/59/2007. Robust NI antibody titers against both N1 and N2 components were induced following vaccination of mice with a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. When stored under recommended conditions, the NA of both N1 and N2 subtypes remained immunogenic well after the vaccine expiry date.

Global proteomic signature of undifferentiated human bone marrow stromal cells: evidence for donor-to-donor proteome heterogeneity.

The clinical application of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) largely depends on their capacity to expand in vitro. We have conducted a comprehensive comparative proteomic analysis of culture-expanded hBMSCs obtained from different human donors. The data reveal extensive donor-to-donor proteomic heterogeneity. Processing and database-searching of the tandem MS data resulted in a most comprehensive to date proteomic dataset for hBMSC. A total of 7753 proteins including 712 transcription and translation regulators, 384 kinases, 248 receptor proteins, and 29 cytokines were confidently identified. The proteins identified are mainly nuclear (43.2%) and the share of proteins assigned to more than one subcellular location constitutes 10% of the identified proteome. Bioinformatics tools (IPA, DAVID, and PANTHER) were used to annotate proteins with respect to cellular locations, functions, and other physicochemical characteristics. We also compared the proteomic profile of hBMSCs to recently compiled datasets for human and mouse pluripotent stem cells. The result shows the extent of similarity between the three cell populations and also identified 253 proteins expressed uniformly by all lines of hBMSCs but not reported in the proteomic datasets of the two pluripotent stem cells. Overall, the proteomic database reported in this paper can serve as a reference map for extensive evaluation of hBMSC to explain their biology as well as identify possible marker candidates for further evaluation.

Potency under pressure: the impact of hydrostatic pressure on antigenic properties of influenza virus hemagglutinin.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccines are effective in protecting against illness and death caused by this seasonal pathogen. The potency of influenza vaccines is measured by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) assay that quantifies antigenic forms of hemagglutinin (HA). Hydrostatic pressure results in loss of binding of influenza virus to red blood cells, but it is not known whether this infers loss of potency. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine the impact of pressure on HA antigenic structure. METHODS: Viruses included in the 2010-2011 trivalent influenza vaccine were subjected to increasing number of cycles at 35,000 psi in a barocycler, and the impact of this treatment measured by determining hemagglutination units (HAU) and potency. Potency was assessed by SRID and immunogenicity in mice. RESULTS: After 25 cycles of pressure, the potency measured by SRID assay was below the limit of quantification for the H1N1 and B viruses used in our study, while the H3N2 component retained some potency that was lost after 50 pressure cycles. Pressure treatment also resulted in loss of HAU, but this did not strictly correlate with the potency value. Curiously, loss of potency was abrogated when influenza A, but not B, antigens were exposed to pressure in chicken egg allantoic fluid. Protection against pressure appeared to be mediated by specific interactions because addition of bovine serum albumin did not have the same effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that pressure-induced loss of potency is strain dependent and suggests that pressure treatment may be useful for identifying vaccine formulations that improve HA stability.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of human liver cytochrome(s) P450.

The major objective of personalized medicine is to select optimized drug therapies and to a large degree such mission is determined by the expression profiles of cytochrome(s) P450 (CYP). Accordingly, a proteomic case study in personalized medicine is provided by the superfamily of cytochromes P450. Our knowledge about CYP isozyme expression on a protein level is very limited and based exclusively on DNA/mRNA derived data. Such information is not sufficient because transcription and translation events do not lead to correlated levels of expressed proteins. Here we report expression profiles of CYPs in human liver obtained by mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic approach. We analyzed 32 samples of human liver microsomes (HLM) of different sexes, ages and ethnicity along with samples of recombinant human CYPs. We have experimentally confirmed that each CYP isozyme can be effectively differentiated by their unique isozyme-specific tryptic peptide(s). Trypsin digestion patterns for almost 30 human CYP isozymes were established. Those findings should assist in selecting tryptic peptides suitable for MS-based quantitation. The data obtained demonstrate remarkable differences in CYP expression profiles. CYP2E1, CYP2C8 and CYP4A11 were the only isozymes found in all HLM samples. Female and pediatric HLM samples revealed much more diverse spectrum of expressed CYPs isozymes compared to male HLM. We have confirmed expression of a number of "rare" CYP (CYP2J2, CYP4B1, CYP4V2, CYP4F3, CYP4F11, CYP8B1, CYP19A1, CYP24A1 and CYP27A1) and obtained first direct experimental data showing expression of such CYPs as CYP2F1, CYP2S1, CYP2W1, CYP4A22, CYP4X1, and CYP26A1 on a protein level.

Improved proteomic profiling of the cell surface of culture-expanded human bone marrow multipotent stromal cells.

A comprehensive analysis of the membrane proteome is essential to explain the biology of multipotent stromal cells and identify reliable protein biomarkers for the isolation as well as tracking of cells during differentiation and maturation. However, proteomic analysis of membrane proteins is challenging and they are noticeably under-represented in numerous proteomic studies. Here we introduce new approach, which includes high pressure-assisted membrane protein extraction, protein fractionation by gel-eluted liquid fraction entrapment electrophoresis (GELFREE), and combined use of liquid chromatography MALDI and ESI tandem mass spectrometry. This report presents the first comprehensive proteomic analysis of membrane proteome of undifferentiated and culture-expanded human bone marrow multipotent stromal cells (hBM-MSC) obtained from different human donors. Gene ontology mapping using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and DAVID programs revealed the largest membrane proteomic dataset for hBM-MSC reported to date. Collectively, the new workflow enabled us to identify at least two-fold more membrane proteins compared to published results on hBM-MSC. A total of 84 CDs were identified including 14 CDs identified for the first time. This dataset can serve as a basis for further exploration of self-renewal, differentiation and characterization of hBM-MSC.

Label-free mass spectrometry-based quantification of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase in influenza virus preparations and vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its severe complications. An accurate rapid method to determine hemagglutinin (HA) concentration would facilitate reference antigen preparation and consequently expedite availability of seasonal as well as pandemic vaccines. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to develop a label-free mass spectrometry (MS) based method that enables simultaneous identification and quantification of HA, neuraminidase (NA), and other viral proteins and protein contaminations in influenza vaccine or virus preparations. METHODS: The method presented is based on LC/MSE analysis of vaccine or virus preparations tryptic digests spiked with a known amount of protein standard from which a universal response factor is generated and applied to calculate the concentration of proteins identified in the mixture. RESULTS: We show that, with the use of an appropriate internal standard, the label-free MS-based protein quantification method is applicable for simultaneous identification and absolute quantification of HA and identification and relative quantification of other influenza proteins as well as protein impurities in influenza vaccines and virus preparations. We show that different subtype recombinant HA is preferred internal standard that provides the most accurate results in absolute quantification of HAs and other influenza proteins. We applied this method to measure the absolute quantity of HA as well as relative quantities of other viral proteins and impurities in preparations of whole virus and monovalent vaccine, providing data to demonstrate strain-dependent differences in the amount of NA. CONCLUSION: The label-free MS method presented here is ideally suited for timely preparation of reference material needed for potency testing of seasonal and pandemic vaccines.

Amino acid analysis by means of MALDI TOF mass spectrometry or MALDI TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry.

Here, we describe two different amino acid analysis protocols based on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). First protocol describes a MALDI TOF MS-based method for a routine simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of free amino acids and protein hydrolysates (Alterman et al. Anal Biochem 335: 184-191, 2004). Linear responses between the amino acid concentration and the peak intensity ratio of corresponding amino acid to internal standard were observed for all amino acids analyzed in the range of concentrations from 20 to 300 µM. Limit of quantitation varied from 0.03 µM for arginine to 3.7 µM for histidine and homocysteine. This method has one inherent limitation: the analysis of isomeric and isobaric amino acids. To solve this problem, a second protocol based on the use of MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS for qualitative analysis of amino and organic acids was developed. This technique is capable of distinguishing isobaric and isomeric compounds (Gogichayeva et al. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 18: 279-284, 2007). Both methods do not require amino acid derivatization or chromatographic separation, and the data acquisition time is decreased to several seconds for a single sample.

Label-free mass spectrometry-based relative quantification of proteins separated by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Here we present a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF)-based label-free relative protein quantification strategy that involves sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) separation of proteins followed by in-gel trypsin digestion. The main problem encountered in gel-based protein quantification is the difficulty in achieving complete and consistent proteolytic digestion. To solve this problem, we developed a high-pressure-assisted in-gel trypsin digestion method that is based on pressure cycling technology (PCT). The PCT approach performed at least as well as the conventional overnight in-gel trypsin digestion approach in parameters such as number of peaks detected, number of peptides identified, and sequence coverage, and the digestion time was reduced to 45 min. The gel/mass spectrometry (MS)-based label-free protein quantification method presented in this work proved the applicability of the signal response factor concept for relative protein quantification previously demonstrated by other groups using the liquid chromatography (LC)/MS platform. By normalizing the average signal intensities of the three most intense peptides of each protein with the average intensities of spiked synthetic catalase tryptic peptides, which we used as an internal standard, we observed spot-to-spot and lane-to-lane coefficients of variation of less than 10 and 20%, respectively. We also demonstrated that the method can be used for determining the relative quantities of proteins comigrating during electrophoretic separation.

Protein-based multiplex assays: mock presubmissions to the US Food and Drug Administration.

As a part of ongoing efforts of the NCI-FDA Interagency Oncology Task Force subcommittee on molecular diagnostics, members of the Clinical Proteomic Technology Assessment for Cancer program of the National Cancer Institute have submitted 2 protein-based multiplex assay descriptions to the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety, US Food and Drug Administration. The objective was to evaluate the analytical measurement criteria and studies needed to validate protein-based multiplex assays. Each submission described a different protein-based platform: a multiplex immunoaffinity mass spectrometry platform for protein quantification, and an immunological array platform quantifying glycoprotein isoforms. Submissions provided a mutually beneficial way for members of the proteomics and regulatory communities to identify the analytical issues that the field should address when developing protein-based multiplex clinical assays.

Proteomics-based characterization of hemagglutinins in different strains of influenza virus.

Infection with influenza A (subtypes H1N1 and H3N2) or B viruses results in over half a million deaths worldwide every year. Frequent antigenic changes (drift) in two major viral surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase lead to the constant emergence of antigenically distinct virus strains against which there is sub-optimal immunity in the population. Consequently the suitability of the viral strains included in the trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) has to be re-evaluated annually. While virus seeds selected for vaccine manufacture are very well characterized, there is no assay in place to identify the source of HA in the formulated trivalent vaccine. Our study describes a proteomics-based method to identify the HA strain (not just subtype) and more fully characterize the final vaccine product. Unique and shared tryptic peptides of HAs were predicted by in silico tryptic digest of different influenza A and B virus strains. Recombinant HA and whole virus preparations of selected strains were then digested to identify the peptides detected by MS. Both subtype and strain-specific peptides were observed. The feasibility of this method to accurately identify HA strains in an inactivated TIV was tested using a 2006/2007 formulation. Each of the three HAs in the vaccine was identified in addition to a number of other viral and non-viral proteins. In summary, MS is a powerful method that is both specific and inclusive; in a single analysis, HAs of individual virus strains can be identified and the composition of the TIV fully characterized.

Experimental evaluation of protein identification by an LC/MALDI/on-target digestion approach.

Tryptic digestion of proteins continues to be a workhorse of proteomics. Traditional tryptic digestion requires several hours to generate an adequate protein digest. A number of enhanced accelerated digestion protocols have been developed in recent years. Nonetheless, a need still exists for new digestion strategies that meet the demands of proteomics for high-throughput and rapid detection and identification of proteins. We performed an evaluation of direct tryptic digestion of proteins on a MALDI target plate and the potential for integrating RP HPLC separation of protein with on-target tryptic digestion in order to achieve a rapid and effective identification of proteins in complex biological samples. To this end, we used a Tempo HPLC/MALDI target plate deposition hybrid instrument (ABI). The technique was evaluated using a number of soluble and membrane proteins and an MRC5 cell lysate. We demonstrated that direct deposition of proteins on a MALDI target plate after reverse-phase HPLC separation and subsequent tryptic digestion of the proteins on the target followed by MALDI TOF/TOF analysis provided substantial data (intact protein mass, peptide mass and peptide fragment mass) that allowed a rapid and unambiguous identification of proteins. The rapid protein separation and direct deposition of fractions on a MALDI target plate provided by the RP HPLC combined with off-line interfacing with the MALDI MS is a unique platform for rapid protein identification with improved sequence coverage. This simple and robust approach significantly reduces the sample handling and potential loss in large-scale proteomics experiments. This approach allows combination of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF), MS/MS peptide fragment fingerprinting (PPF) and whole protein MS for both protein identification and structural analysis of proteins.

Utility of polyclonal antibodies targeted toward unique tryptic peptides in the proteomic analysis of cytochrome P450 isozymes.

P450s are key enzymes responsible for biotransformation of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds and are located in almost every tissue. This superfamily is the largest group of enzymes (>6000) that share a high degree of similarity in protein sequence. The human genome contains 57 CYP genes and 58 pseudogenes. A major gap exists in our knowledge about differences in CYP expression on a protein level. DNA and mRNA information are not sufficient because transcription and particularly translation events are not necessarily correlated with levels of expressed proteins. The data reported in this study complete the framework of an integrated proteomic method for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of CYP isozyme composition using MALDI-TOF-MS and immunochemistry that has been developed in our laboratory over the last several years (Alterman et al., 2005a,b) and is based on the fact that each P450 isozyme possesses unique tryptic peptide(s) (UTP) that could be used for differential analysis of human CYP expression. Here we demonstrate that three different immunochemical techniques (ELISA, Western blot, and peptide affinity enrichment on magnetic beads with attached antibodies) have potential to be incorporated in an integrated proteomic method combining mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. Fundamentally, this approach is based on the measurement of the same chemical entity (isozyme-specific UTP) in the tryptic digest by two orthogonal analytical techniques, mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. The application of this approach is illustrated with two human CYP isozymes--CYP1A2 and CYP2E1.

A proteomic analysis of bromobenzene reactive metabolite targets in rat liver cytosol in vivo.

Metabolic activation and protein covalent binding are early and apparently obligatory events in the cytotoxicity of many simple organic chemicals including drugs and natural products. Although much has been learned about the chemistry of reactive metabolite formation and reactivity toward protein nucleophiles, progress in identifying specific protein targets for reactive metabolites of various protoxins has been much slower. We previously reported nine microsomal and three cytosolic proteins as targets for reactive metabolites of bromobenzene in rat liver. These results, and contemporary work by others, indicate that protein covalent binding is not totally random in cells. Moreover, as protein targets for other protoxins were identified, little commonality of target proteins became apparent. In the present work, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to separate liver cytosolic proteins from rats treated with 14C-bromobenzene; 110 of the 836 observed spots contained measurable radioactivity that varied over a 600-fold range of adduct density. Of these 110 spots, in-gel digestion coupled with mass spectrometry identified apparently single proteins in 57 spots. A few other spots clearly contained more than one identifiable protein, and in several cases, the same protein was identified in several spots having different apparent molecular masses and/or pI. Altogether, 33 unique new protein targets for bromobenzene metabolites were identified and compared to those known for acetaminophen, naphthalene, butylated hydroxytoluene, benzene, thiobenzamide, and halothane via a target protein database available at http://tpdb.medchem.ku.edu:8080/protein_database/. With increasing numbers of target proteins becoming known, more commonality in targeting by reactive metabolites from diverse chemical agents may be seen. Such commonality may help to separate toxicologically significant covalent binding events from a background of covalent binding that is toxicologically inconsequential.

MALDI TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry as a new tool for amino acid analysis.

This is the first report of an application of collisionally induced fragmentation of amino acids (AA) and their derivatives by MALDI TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry (MS). In this work, we collected the data on high-energy fragmentation reactions of a large group of protonated amino acids and their derivatives with the goal of determining which product ions are analyte specific and if yields of these fragment could be used for quantitative analysis. From 34 different amino acids (20 alpha-amino acids, beta-amino acids, homocysteine, GABA, and modified AA Met sulfone and sulfoxide, hydroxyproline, etc.) we observed that high yields of the target specific immonium ions and fragmentation patterns are most similar to EI or FAB CID on sector instruments. The major exceptions were two highly basic amino acids, Arg and Orn. It is noted that neither beta-, gamma-, nor delta-amino acids produce immonium ions. As might be predicted from high-energy CID work on peptides from the sectors and TOF/TOF, the presence of specific indicator ions in MALDI tandem MS allows distinguishing isomeric and isobaric amino acids. These indicator ions, in combination with careful control of data acquisition, ensure quantitative analysis of amino acids. We believe our data provide strong basis for the application of MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS in qualitative and quantitative analysis of amino and organic acids, including application in clinical medicine.

Protein interactions with subcutaneously implanted biosensors.

Biofouling of in vivo glucose sensors has been indicated as the primary reason for sensitivity losses observed during the first 24 h after implant [Wisniewski N, Moussy F, Reichert WM. Characterization of implantable biosensor membrane biofouling. Fresen J Anal Chem 2000; 366(6-7): 611-621]. Identification of the biomolecules that contribute to these sensitivity perturbations is the primary objective of the research presented. Active needle-type glucose sensors were implanted in Sprague-Dawley rats for 24h, and then a proteomics approach was used to identify the substances absorbed to the sensors. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was the primary tool utilized to identify the biomolecules in sensor leachate samples and species absorbed directly on sensor membranes excised from explanted in vivo sensors. Not surprisingly serum albumin was identified as the primary biomolecule present, however, predominantly as endogenous fragments of the protein. In addition, several other biomolecule fragments, mainly less than 15 kD, were identified. Based on these findings, it is concluded that fragments of larger biomolecules infiltrate the sensor membranes causing diminished glucose diffusivity, thus decreasing in vivo sensitivity.