Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Data-Independent Acquisition”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

DiaReport: reproducible workflow for differential expression analysis and interactive reporting in DIA-based proteomics.

MOTIVATION: Data-independent acquisition (DIA) has become the preferred data acquisition method for mass spectrometry-based proteomics, yet, reproducible workflows for differential expression (DE) analysis and results reporting remain limited. We present DiaReport, an R package that performs precursor- and protein-level DE analysis from DIA-NN output using MSqRob and QFeatures, while generating high-quality, interactive HTML reports through Quarto. DiaReport integrates precursor data, filtering of missing values, normalization, protein summarization and statistical modeling within a single function, supporting both simple pairwise as well as complex experimental designs. The package provides structured outputs and configuration files to ensure computational reproducibility across different studies. To accommodate diverse research needs, DiaReport includes multiple reporting templates tailored to different proteomic applications. Applying DiaReport to an extracellular vesicle (EV) proteomics dataset demonstrates its ability to efficiently analyze DIA data and provide rapid insights into sample quality and protein level differences. AVAILABILITY: DiaReport is an open-source R package available at https://github.com/Gevaert-Lab/diareport (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20120604). The package is platform-independent and distributed under the MIT license. Reports are generated using Quarto and require only standard R dependencies. Detailed documentation, installation guides and usage vignettes are provided within the repository. The interactive HTML reports discussed in this study, including the UPS2 benchmark and EV case study, are archived on Zenodo (10.5281/zenodo.20122506 and 10.5281/zenodo.20123378).

Proteomics↗

Relaxin-2: Shaping the Proteomic Landscape of Skeletal Muscle Physiology, Glucose Trafficking, and Mitochondrial Function in Rat.

Relaxin-2 is a hormone with robust beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels and potential as a therapy for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Considering the interorgan communication between skeletal muscle and heart, and the relation between muscle quality/composition and CV events, we hypothesize that relaxin-2 may regulate skeletal muscle physiology and metabolism. We aim to evaluate the impact of relaxin-2 on the proteome of skeletal muscle from healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were treated with 0.4 mg/kg/day of serelaxin (recombinant form of human relaxin-2) or vehicle (PBS) for 2 weeks employing subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. Skeletal muscle protein identification and quantification were performed by LC-MS/MS using a Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA)-Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Fragment Ion Spectra (SWATH) method. SWATH/MS quantitative analysis identified that relaxin-2 significantly decreased 95 proteins and significantly increased 32 proteins in rat skeletal muscle when compared to control rats. From these, 34 proteins were associated with muscle function, myogenesis, muscle differentiation and/or regeneration, 20 are mitochondrial proteins (six from the complexes of the electron transport chain), and 10 proteins participate in glucose metabolism. Qualitative data-dependent workflow analysis identified 35 proteins exclusive to the skeletal muscle of the relaxin-2-treated group: eight proteins related to processes of skeletal muscle function (size, ion homeostasis or organization of caveolae structures and cytoskeleton) and myogenesis, and two proteins involved in muscle differentiation. Our work highlighted for the first time the role of relaxin-2 in crucial processes of muscle physiology and energetic metabolism, which could influence several processes involved in myopathy and CV.

Animals↗

Multi-omic integration with human dorsal root ganglia proteomics highlights TNFα signalling as a relevant sexually dimorphic pathway.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) plays a critical role in pathological conditions, including chronic pain disorders, that manifest differently in men and women. To investigate this sexual dimorphism at the molecular level, we integrated quantitative proteomic profiling of human dorsal root ganglia (hDRG) and peripheral nerve tissue into the expanding omics framework of the PNS. Using data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry, we characterized a comprehensive proteomic profile, validating tissue-specific differences between the hDRG and peripheral nerve. Through multi-omic analyses and in vitro functional assays, we identified sex-specific molecular differences, with TNFα signalling emerging as a key sexually dimorphic pathway with higher prominence in men. Genetic evidence from genome-wide association studies further supports the functional relevance of TNFα signalling in the periphery, while clinical trial data and meta-analyses indicate a sex-dependent response to TNFα inhibitors. Collectively, these findings underscore a functionally sexual dimorphism in the PNS, with direct implications for sensory and pain-related clinical translation.

Humans↗

SpxA1 and SpxA2 function as a stoichiometry-dependent regulatory rheostat governing virulence gene expression in group A Streptococcus.

UNLABELLED: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human-restricted pathogen whose global incidence has surged in the post-COVID era. The ability of GAS to shift from a colonizing to invasive phenotype depends on coordinated virulence gene regulation in response to host-derived signals. However, the mechanisms by which individual stress-sensing systems interact to reshape the virulence gene regulatory landscape remain incompletely understood. Here, we define the regulatory programs of two conserved transcriptional regulator paralogs, SpxA1 and SpxA2, using an integrated multi-omic approach combining RNA-seq, data-independent acquisition proteomics, NanoString-based transcriptional profiling across multiple host-relevant stress conditions, and chromatin immunoprecipitation with exonuclease treatment (ChIP-exo). RNA-seq revealed functionally distinct regulons with SpxA1 governing oxidative stress defense and SpxA2 coordinating virulence-associated gene expression linked to the CovRS two-component regulatory system. Proteomic analysis established SpxA2 as a ClpXP protease substrate in GAS and identified reciprocal paralog accumulation upon loss of either SpxA1 or SpxA2, consistent with compensatory transcriptional upregulation. NanoString profiling under bacitracin and human neutrophil peptide-1 challenge identified four gene modules with distinct stoichiometry-dependent and condition-dependent regulatory logic, revealing that the SpxA1/SpxA2 ratio rather than the activity of either paralog alone determines which transcriptional programs are engaged. ChIP-exo demonstrated that SpxA2 directly modulates CovR-DNA binding occupancy in a CovR-binding motif-dependent manner, simultaneously antagonizing CovR dimer binding at an extended (25 bp) CovR motif and facilitating CovR monomer binding at the canonical ATTARA motif. These findings establish the LiaFSR-SpxA2-CovRS axis as a cross-regulatory circuit through which GAS cell envelope stress sensing is directly transduced into coordinated virulence gene regulatory changes. IMPORTANCE: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes millions of infections annually, including a recent global surge in invasive disease. To survive in the human host, GAS must rapidly reprogram virulence gene expression in response to host-derived stresses. This study characterizes two conserved transcriptional regulators, SpxA1 and SpxA2, that govern this response through interaction with RNA polymerase to indirectly influence the DNA-binding activity of downstream transcription factors. We show that SpxA2, activated by a cell envelope stress-sensing system responding to human antimicrobial peptides, reshapes the binding of the master virulence regulator CovR in a promoter-specific manner, coupling cell envelope stress sensing to virulence gene regulation. The stoichiometric balance between SpxA1 and SpxA2 functions as a regulatory rheostat calibrating overall virulence gene regulatory tone, providing a framework for understanding how RNA polymerase-interacting regulators coordinate stress responses and virulence gene control across Gram-positive bacterial pathogens.

Streptococcus pyogenes↗

DIA proteomics of FFPE renal biopsies reveals two molecular subtypes of lupus nephritis and identifies APOL1 as candidate biomarker for stratification.

INTRODUCTION: Lupus nephritis (LN) exhibits substantial clinical and pathological heterogeneity. We aimed to define proteomics-based molecular subtypes of LN and identify candidate biomarkers for subtype discrimination. METHODS: We analysed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) renal biopsy specimens from 292 patients with biopsy-proven LN from four tertiary hospitals using data-independent acquisition (DIA)-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics. Molecular subtypes were identified by non-negative matrix factorisation. Differential proteins, functional enrichment, immune pathway activity, protein-protein interaction networks and subtype-associated clinical/pathological features were evaluated. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) logistic regression were used to identify key subtype-related features and derive a protein panel distinguishing proliferative (class III/IV) from membranous (class V) LN. RESULTS: Two stable molecular subtypes were identified, with 1002 differential proteins between them. Subtype_2 was enriched for interferon-related innate immunity, complement activation, phagocytosis-endocytosis-lysosome pathways and ribosome biogenesis/RNA metabolism, whereas Subtype_1 was characterised by keratinisation and epithelial structural remodelling. Subtype_2 was associated with higher serum creatinine, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and higher chronicity index. APOL1 showed discriminatory value between subtypes, and serum ELISA demonstrated a consistent pattern with FFPE proteomic findings. A five-protein LASSO panel achieved an area under the curve of approximately 0.76 for distinguishing class III/IV from class V LN. CONCLUSION: DIA-based proteomic profiling of FFPE renal biopsies identifies biologically and clinically relevant LN molecular subtypes and may support tissue-informed classification and risk stratification.

Humans↗

Identification of Biomarkers for Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Via Urinary Proteomics and Machine Learning.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is a common complication of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy linked to poor outcomes. However, reliable noninvasive biomarkers for RVD remain lacking. This study aimed to identify urinary proteomic markers using mass spectrometry and machine learning. METHODS: In this prospective cohort, patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were classified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging into groups with RVD (RV ejection fraction <45%) and without RVD groups. Baseline urine samples were profiled by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins were identified and selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to build a diagnostic model, developed in a training set, and validated in a test set. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, heart failure rehospitalization, left ventricular assist device implantation, or heart transplantation. RESULTS: The study enrolled 147 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (64 with RVD, 83 without), with a median follow-up of 19.3&#x2009;months. Of 3579 quantified urinary proteins, 46 were differentially expressed between groups. A 3-protein panel (RARRES1 [retinoic acid receptor responder protein 1], MVB12B [multivesicular body subunit 12B], GSK3A [glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha]) was identified and showed excellent diagnostic accuracy (training area under the curve 0.946; validation area under the curve0.935), outperforming both NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. The risk score derived from this panel effectively stratified patients, with the high-risk group exhibiting significantly worse outcomes than the low-risk group (hazard ratio, 3.24 [95% CI, 1.56-6.71], P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary proteomic panel developed in this study demonstrates diagnostic and prognostic potential for identifying RVD in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, providing a promising noninvasive tool for precise detection and clinical risk stratification.

Humans↗

Large-scale proteomics profiling of peripheral blood of DM1 patients identifies biomarkers for disease severity and functional capacity.

BackgroundMyotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1), the most common genetic neuromuscular disorder in adults, poses significant challenges for drug development due to its multisystem nature and high clinical variability in symptoms and disease progression. With a growing number of therapies entering clinical trials, this study addresses the urgent need for biomarkers that can serve as surrogate endpoints.MethodsWe profiled 437 serum samples from adult DM1 patients collected at two timepoints of the OPTIMISTIC trial using bottom-up mass spectrometry with data-independent acquisition. Associations between protein expression, the disease-causing CTG-repeat and 25 clinical outcome measures were studied using linear mixed-effect models. All key study findings were validated in an independent cohort of 69 DM1 patients and 10 healthy controls.ResultsOf the 259 identified proteins, 161 showed significant associations with the CTG-repeat length (FDR&#x2009;<&#x2009;5%). Hypogammaglobulinemia was confirmed and shown to be worse in severely affected patients. A strong proteomic signature was associated with clinical measures of functional capacity, with the 6-Minute Walk Test showing the strongest signal (70 associations, FDR&#x2009;<&#x2009;5%). These novel associations reveal a compelling link between chronic inflammation and reduced functional capacity. A machine learning algorithm identified a minimal set of 13 proteins robustly reflecting both the underlying genetic defect and functional capacity.ConclusionsDM1 induces a broad disease fingerprint in the serum proteome, predominantly affecting proteins of the immune system. A carefully selected panel of proteins showed the greatest potential to meet the statistical criteria required for surrogate endpoints in clinical trials.

Humans↗

P1D6 inhibits FnBP-induced extracellular proteome remodeling: proteomic evidence for a novel intervention strategy in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by skin barrier impairment, chronic inflammation, and intense pruritus. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) critically contributes to its pathogenesis; however, the mechanistic role of its virulence factor fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP) in keratinocytes remains poorly understood. This study used bibliometric analysis and quantitative proteomics to examine the relationship. We first performed a bibliometric analysis, revealing a sustained increase in publications on S. aureus and AD, peaking at 99 articles in 2023, with hotspots focused on skin barrier function, immune inflammation, and pediatrics. Quantitative proteomics was employed to investigate how FnBP reshapes the extracellular proteome and whether the anti-&#x3b1;5 integrin antibody P1D6 exerts interventional effects. HaCaT cells were stimulated with recombinant FnBP alone or in combination with P1D6, followed by data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomic analysis of secretome changes. Proteomic analysis identified FnBP-induced differentially expressed proteins enriched in immune- and barrier-related pathways, including cell adhesion, cell junctions, and VEGFA-VEGFR2 signaling. P1D6 intervention significantly inhibited the secretome profile and identified 241 core responsive proteins, of which approximately 52% returned to baseline levels after intervention (P&#x2009;>&#x2009;0.05). These proteins were primarily enriched in pathways governing protein homeostasis, folding, proteasomal degradation, and interleukin-7 signaling. Notably, P1D6 modulated the downregulation of ATP5F1B and P4HB, key effectors within the interleukin-7 pathway. This study demonstrates that FnBP remodels the keratinocyte secretome by disrupting protein homeostasis, consequently inducing barrier injury and chronic inflammation related to AD, which can be effectively blocked by P1D6. Combined with bibliometric trends and proteomic evidence, this study focuses on FnBP, an underexplored virulence factor, and provides novel insights into AD pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.

Humans↗

Integrated analysis of gut microbiota, serum metabolomics, and proteomics reveals novel associations with clinical symptoms in patients with cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral infarction (CI) is a major cause of adult disability and mortality worldwide. Mounting evidence supports the critical role of the gut-brain axis in cerebrovascular disease progression. This study aimed to characterize the alterations in gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and serum proteome in patients with CI, and to identify multi-omics signatures associated with clinical symptoms. METHODS: A total of 20 CI patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Fecal microbiota was profiled using 16&#xa0;S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. Serum metabolomics and proteomics were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics, respectively. Spearman correlation and multi-omics integration were applied to explore the associations among microbiota, metabolites, proteins, and clinical indicators. RESULTS: CI patients displayed significant gut microbiota dysbiosis, with a markedly lower gut microbiota health index (GMHI) and higher microbiota disorder index (MDI) compared with HC (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). The genera g_norank_o_RF39 and Oxalobacter were significantly enriched in CI patients, whereas Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Agathobacter were enriched in HC. Metabolomic analysis identified 445 differential metabolites, mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and caffeine metabolism. Proteomic analysis revealed 140 differentially expressed proteins linked to inflammatory responses, calcium signaling, and NF-&#x3ba;B signaling. Multi-omics integration showed that signature gut microbiota was strongly correlated (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.005) with key serum metabolites and proteins implicated in CI pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: This integrated multi-omics study revealed distinct gut microbiota, serum metabolomic, and proteomic alterations in CI patients. The microbiota-metabolite-protein regulatory axes provide novel insights into the gut-brain axis in CI and may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Humans↗

Downregulated lysyl oxidase in plasma extracellular vesicles: a biomarker linked to brain metastasis risk in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastasis (BrM) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry bioactive molecules, play a critical role in tumor microenvironment remodeling and exhibit metastatic organotropism, holding promise as liquid biopsy biomarkers. This study aims to identify plasma EV-derived proteins associated with LUAD-BrM. METHODS: A multi-omics framework was applied. Plasma EVs from 59 stage IV LUAD patients (30 BrM vs 29 non-BrM) were profiled using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry proteomics. Candidate proteins were screened via bioinformatics and machine learning (LASSO/RF/SVM). Initial validation included tissue proteomics (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;13), single-cell transcriptomics (TISCH2), and Western blot analysis of a subset of the discovery samples. Functional experiments were conducted in vitro. The lead candidate was ultimately validated in an independent plasma cohort (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;158) through ELISA. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis implicated collagen-containing extracellular matrix (ECM) pathways. Lysyl oxidase (LOX), a key ECM cross-linking enzyme, was identified as a lead candidate. LOX and its family member LOXL1 were consistently downregulated in BrM tissues and plasma EVs. Single-cell analysis revealed decreased LOX expression specifically in BrM-associated fibroblasts, which showed suppressed ECM-related pathways. In vitro experiments supported a PI3K/AKT-LOX-ECM regulatory axis. Plasma EV-derived LOX demonstrated strong diagnostic performance in the independent cohort, with an AUC of 0.786 (95% CI 0.713iated fi. CONCLUSIONS: Our study establishes plasma EV-derived LOX as a promising non-invasive biomarker for LUAD-BrM through a comprehensive multi-omics validation strategy. We propose a model wherein downregulation of LOX, potentially driven by PI3K/AKT signaling in tumor-associated fibroblasts, contributes to ECM degradation and may promote brain-tropic metastasis. This finding offers new insights for risk stratification and timely intervention in LUAD patients.

Humans↗

Spatial proteomics reveals four-stage molecular evolution in cancer immunotherapy-related gastritis.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment, yet immune-related adverse events (irAEs) including immunotherapy-related gastritis (IRAEG) pose significant clinical challenges-often necessitating treatment interruption that may compromise antitumor efficacy. IRAEG presents with atypical symptoms, lacks specific biomarkers, and shows histopathological overlap with other forms of gastritis, complicating diagnosis and management. Despite increasing clinical recognition, a systematic understanding of spatial molecular alterations across the full disease course remains limited. Here, we used spatial proteomics to map the molecular landscape of IRAEG during disease progression and to define stage-specific patterns of molecular evolution relevant to cancer immunotherapy management. METHODS: We analyzed tissue samples from seven patients, including four non-immunotherapy-related gastritis controls and three cancer patients who developed IRAEG following ICI therapy for solid tumors, sampled longitudinally across four disease stages: baseline (G1), acute severe inflammation (G2), early recovery (G3), and complete recovery (G4). Using laser capture microdissection coupled with data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, we profiled 177 spatially resolved gastric tissue regions. Multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence characterized features of the immune microenvironment, while Gene Ontology, KEGG pathway analysis, Gene Set Variation Analysis, and xCell inference enabled functional, metabolic, and immune profiling. Key immune and NET-related findings were further validated by multiplex immunofluorescence in an independent, expanded cohort of IRAEG and non-immunotherapy-related gastritis samples. RESULTS: IRAEG was characterized by widespread HLA molecule activation and enhanced antigen processing, resembling the immune phenotype observed in organ transplant rejection. The acute G2 stage exhibited excessive neutrophil extracellular trap formation, profound metabolic suppression, and collapse of immune homeostasis-features that may inform early intervention strategies to preserve ICI treatment continuity. During early recovery (G3), inflammatory injury transitioned toward repair, marked by activation of fatty acid metabolism and PPAR signaling. Notably, even at complete clinical recovery (G4), more than 1,000 proteins remained differentially expressed, reflecting sustained enhancement of metabolic and immune functions and establishing a distinct molecular "memory" state with implications for ICI rechallenge decisions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings define four molecularly distinct stages of IRAEG progression and recovery. The stage-specific signatures identified here serve as candidate biomarkers for diagnosis, disease staging, and therapeutic response assessment, and may guide clinical decisions regarding irAE management, treatment modification, and safe ICI rechallenge to support continued antitumor therapy.

Humans↗

Proteomic signatures and predictive modeling of cadmium-associated anxiety in middle-aged and elderly populations: an environmental exposure association study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence implicates environmental contaminants such as cadmium (Cd) as modifiable risk factors for anxiety. Despite growing recognition of heavy metal toxicity in neuropsychiatric disorders, the molecular mechanisms linking environmental exposure to anxiety pathogenesis remain poorly understood. METHODS: Based on the established cohort of individuals with cognitive impairment in cadmium-contaminated areas, this cross-sectional association study enrolled 50 middle-aged and elderly hospitalized patients from these regions, adhering to the STROBE guidelines. Blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were analyzed in relation to anxiety severity assessed via the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA). Plasma proteomic profiling was performed using data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative technology with an LC-MS/MS platform (timsTOF Pro, Bruker Daltonics), systematically characterizing 2,531 proteins across all samples. Machine learning techniques, specifically XGBoost and LASSO, were employed to identify biomarkers that were subsequently validated through mediation analysis and animal experiments, allowing for the screening of key protein signatures. Finally, clinical variables were integrated to construct a comprehensive model, which was then thoroughly evaluated. RESULTS: Anxious individuals exhibited significantly higher blood Cd levels than controls (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.50, 95% CI: 0.07-0.93, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01), with anxiety positively correlating with depression (r&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.62, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.003) and inversely with ApoE3 genotype prevalence. Proteomics identified 120 differentially expressed proteins in anxious patients, enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and neurodegenerative pathways. CCDC126 emerged as a cadmium-associated biomarker, validated in rat models exposed to Cd. Combining CCDC126, blood Cd, Pb, and hypertension, a clinical prediction model achieved robust discrimination (AUC&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.80, validation cohort). CONCLUSIONS: This first integrative environmental-proteomic study highlights cadmium's synergistic role in anxiety pathophysiology and psychiatric comorbidity. The predictive model offers translatable potential for early risk stratification, while CCDC126 provides mechanistic insights for targeted interventions in populations exposed to environmental pollutants.

Cadmium↗

Preliminary screening of urinary host protein biomarkers for Schistosomiasis haematobium: A proteome profiling study identifying candidate diagnostic targets in school-aged children.

Schistosomiasis is a major public health challenge and a globally neglected tropical disease. Schistosoma haematobium, the causative agent of urogenital schistosomiasis, is endemic in African countries; with school-aged children ages 7-15 years being the most vulnerable population. Current diagnostic methods rely on microscopy to identify parasite eggs in urine; which is labor-intensive, requires specialized skills, and often lacks sensitivity, especially in mild infections. To address these limitations, we explored host disease-related biomarkers as a promising avenue for advancing diagnosis and detection. We recruited 135 children ages 7-15 years from Zanzibar, a known transmission hotspot, and used data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics combined with machine learning to identify potential host protein biomarkers in urine samples from individuals infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Proteomic analysis identified 823 common host proteins in urine samples from the infected group. Machine learning algorithms highlighted candidate discriminative proteins; which were validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Machine learning emphasized SYNPO2, CD276, &#x3b1;2M, LCAT, and hnRNPM as the most discriminating biomarkers for Schistosoma haematobium infection. ELISA validation confirmed the differential expression trends of these proteins, while machine learning further validated LCAT and &#x3b1;2M, underscoring their diagnostic potential. Our study focused on host-derived proteins and identified key urinary protein biomarkers associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection, and offers new insights into host-parasite interactions and potential tools for non-invasive diagnostics. While validated in African pediatric populations from transmission hotspots, this host-protein approach inherently overcomes geographic limitations of parasite-based diagnostics; which is a critical advantage for surveillance in non-endemic regions where imported cases threaten gains toward elimination. These findings lay the groundwork for developing novel diagnostic approaches that could significantly improve the detection and surveillance of schistosomiasis, particularly in high-risk populations.

Humans↗

Integrated analysis of plasma metabolomics and proteomics reveals the biological characteristics of damp-heat and stasis-toxin syndrome in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological attributes of core syndromes in colorectal cancer, namely, the damp-heat and stasis-toxin syndrome (SRYD). METHODS: Between October 2021 and October 2022, a cohort comprising 40 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed with damp-heat and stasis-toxin syndrome (SRYD group), 40 patients with CRC without this syndrome (non-SRYD group), and 40 healthy controls (Normal group) was recruited at Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was conducted on plasma samples from all 120 participants, while differential protein analysis using four-dimensional data-independent acquisition proteomics was performed on 20 randomly selected samples per group. A combined analysis of proteomics and metabolomics data followed, and the identified potential diagnostic biomarkers were subsequently used to train and validate multiple machine learning models. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis revealed 130 differential proteins in the colorectal cancer with damp-heat and stasis-toxin syndrome (CRC-SRYD) group, enriched in pathways including complement and coagulation cascades, as well as nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-&#x3ba;B) signaling. Metabolomic analysis identified 584 differential metabolites within the same group, showing enrichment in pathways such as primary bile acid biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism in cancer, and glucagon signaling. Integrated pathway analysis indicated heightened activity of the NF-&#x3ba;B signaling pathway in the CRC-SRYD group. A biomarker panel, comprising 6 proteins and 9 metabolites selected through the ReliefF algorithm, was used to construct a diagnostic model with random forest, achieving an accuracy of 93.33%, sensitivity of 80.00%, and specificity of 100%. CONCLUSION: This study systematically elucidates plasma metabolomic and proteomic alterations in patients with CRC, establishing a robust diagnostic model for CRC syndrome (CRC-SRYD). Further investigation is warranted to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms and biological foundations.

Humans↗

Enzyme-Metabolite Network Analysis of Endometrial Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Through Integrated Proteomics and Metabolomics.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in high-income countries. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication and metabolic reprogramming, but their molecular cargo in EC remains poorly characterized. EVs were isolated from four EC cell lines representing Type I and Type II subtypes (AN3CA, ISHIKAWA, HEC1A, and KLE). Untargeted metabolomics was performed by HILIC-LC-MS/MS, proteomics by data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry, and multi-omics integration using MetaboAnalyst and OmicsNet. Metabolomic profiling identified 1463 annotated features and revealed significant differences among EC cell lines (PERMANOVA, p = 0.002). Twenty-eight differentially abundant metabolites, including lactic acid, succinic acid, and uric acid, were identified. Proteomic analysis quantified 8513 proteins with subtype-specific expression patterns. Integrated analysis revealed seven significantly enriched pathways, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, central carbon metabolism in cancer, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Increased LDHA abundance in metastatic AN3CA-derived EVs was confirmed by Western blot (p = 0.047). EC-derived EVs display subtype- and metastatic-status-specific metabolo-proteomic signatures, with glycolysis, TCA cycle remodeling, and central carbon metabolism as convergent pathway signatures of molecular reprogramming. These findings establish a multi-omics framework for characterizing EV cargo in EC and identify candidate enzyme-metabolite nodes for future biomarker validation in patient-derived specimens.

Female↗

Multi-omics profiling of cerebrospinal fluid in autoimmune encephalitis: insights into pathogenesis and therapeutic targets.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is a rare, severe inflammatory brain disease, with its pathogenesis not yet fully elucidated. This study aimed to characterize proteomic and metabolomic alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AIE patients and identify potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: 65 consecutive AIE patients and age-matched concurrent controls were enrolled, respectively. Clinical characteristics, including blood and CSF laboratory findings, were compared between the two groups, and CSF samples were collected for multi-omics analysis. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and metabolites (DEMs) between AIE patients and controls were identified using data-independent acquisition-based proteomics and targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, followed by integrated multi-omics analysis. RESULTS: Compared with controls, AIE patients had lower levels of triglyceride and C1q, but higher HDL-CH levels, neutrophil counts, and eosinophil counts in blood. CSF leukocyte, erythrocyte, lymphocyte, and mononuclear cell counts were also elevated in AIE patients. Proteomic analysis identified 163 DEPs, with enrichment of 87 canonical pathways primarily associated with immune-inflammatory responses, neuronal-synaptic dysfunction, and cell signaling and metabolic pathways. Metabolomic analysis recognized 21 DEMs, predominantly amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, which were involved in lipid-carbohydrate metabolism and immune regulation. Integrated multi-omics analysis validated these findings and identified several potential therapeutic targets for AIE, including the IL6-STAT3 axis. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated multi-omics analysis systematically delineates cellular and molecular alterations underlying AIE. Immune-inflammatory response and lipid metabolism are pivotal in AIE progression and the IL6-STAT3 axis holds promise as a potential therapeutic target.

Humans↗

Integrated Multiomics Analysis of Microsatellite Instability-High Colorectal Cancer Identifies a Subtype With Poor Outcome.

Up to 50% of patients with metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC) are resistant to immunotherapy and experience progression or recurrence after treatment. We integrated the genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data for 99 patients in a Chinese MSI-H CRC cohort. Proteomic profiling of primary tumors clearly classified MSI-H tumors into 2 subtypes. We found that the 2 subtypes have different mutational signatures, enriched pathways, gene fusion networks, and clinical outcomes. Notably, NCAM1 could serve as a potential biomarker for checkpoint inhibitor response in MSI-H CRC. Thus, there is an urgent need to stratify the MSI-H group into different subtypes and adopt more targeted therapies to prolong patient survival.

Humans↗

From Peaks to Power: Systematic Evaluation of Chromatographic Sampling Reveals Determinants of Quantification and Biological Discovery in DIA Proteomics.

Modern DIA proteomics increasingly emphasizes throughput and depth for large-cohort studies, but methods are often optimized using proxy metrics that can mask losses in quantifiable signal and statistical power. Here, we evaluate how data points per peak and other chromatographic features jointly contribute to quantification and downstream biological discovery. Using a matrix-matched calibration curve dataset, we checked how the number of data points per peak (DPPP) affects the limits of detection and quantification (LOD/LOQ). Reduced DPPP minimally affected LOD but substantially degraded LOQ. Feature modeling and nonparametric association analyses identified precursor peak area as the strongest feature-level predictor of LOQ, whereas DPPP showed weaker and context-dependent effects. Simulations of chromatographic peak integration recapitulated these trends, showing that increased sampling primarily improves integration precision, while quantitative accuracy is strongly governed by peak height and peak shape. Finally, when comparing 20 cancer vs 20 control plasma samples processed with Seer Proteograph, the decrease in DPPP led to a loss of statistical significance for proteins with low-abundance precursors. These findings argue that DIA optimization should prioritize LOQ and statistical power metrics&#x2500;not identifications alone&#x2500;by balancing sampling density with chromatographic peak height and quality to maximize useful biological signal.

Proteomics↗