Complementary serum proteomic analysis of autoimmune hepatitis in mice and patients

Hongbin Li, Guoshun Li, Xinyu Zhao, Yongkang Wu, Wen Ma, Yuling Liu, Fengming Gong, Shufang Liang

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease caused by inflammation of the liver. The etiology of AIH remains elusive, and there are no reliable serum biomarkers. METHODS: In order to identify candidate biomarkers, 2-DE analysis of serum proteins was performed using a mouse model of AIH induced by treatment with concanavalin A (ConA). To enrich samples for low abundance molecules a commercial albumin removal reagent was used. In an independent analysis, candidate biomarkers were identified in AIH patient's serum by a targeted iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) identification. Candidates were validated in independent cohorts of ConA treated mice and AIH patients by ELISA (enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay). RESULTS: Nine proteins were differentially expressed in AIH mice treated with con-A. Two of these, the third component of complement (C3) and alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) were also up-regulated in AIH patient's sera by a targeted iTRAQ identification. In separate validation studies, serum C3 and A2M levels were increased in mice with ConA treatment after 20-40 h and in 34 AIH patients in a subgroup analysis, females with AIH aged 20--50 years old displayed the largest increases in serum A2M level. Biological network analysis implements the complement cascade and protease inhibitors in the pathogenesis of AIH. CONCLUSION: The serum proteins C3 and A2M are increased both in a mouse model and inpatients with AIH by both 2-DE and iTRAQ methods. This integrated serum proteomics investigation should be applicable for translational researchers to study other medical conditions.