Abstract
The need for enhanced transplant diagnostics is reflected in the numbers of unused organs as indicated by the United Network for Organ Sharing. We hypothesize that the number and quality of organs for transplant could be greatly enhanced with the inclusion of proteomic analysis. To test this prospect, we utilized the surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight system (SELDI-TOF), to identify phenomic fingerprints of porcine kidney flush solution collected following cold preservation and post-transplant protein lysates from human kidney transplant urine samples. Effluent flush solution from porcine kidneys statically stored under hypothermic conditions for 6 days yielded novel protein peaks in the 7350-15,950-Da range from day 1 to day 3 of storage, and peak intensification from day 4 to day 6. Comparison of donor (pre-transplant) and recipient (post-transplant) cellular protein extracts collected from urine samples demonstrated several peaks of differing intensities between 11,997 and 64,005 Da. The increases in peak intensity observed 0-48 h post-transplant decreased to donor levels by 72 h. These results suggest the feasibility of SELDI-TOF for protein profiling of organ flush solution pre-transplant and cellular urinary component samples post-transplant to identify biomarkers reflective of organ status. The rapid, quantitative qualities of protein profiling suggests ProteinChip microarrays will provide a novel method of clinical assessment of transplantation feasibility and success.
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