A multiplexed LC-MS/MS method to reveal changes in inflammatory and coagulation cascades induced by host infection.

Authors

Gabriella Pinto, Anna Illiano, Stefania Serpico, Fabio Maurelli, Elena Scaglione, Roberta Colicchio, Mariateresa Vitiello, Marco Varelli, Paola Salvatore, Angela Amoresano

Published in

Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry. Jun 25, 2025. Epub Jun 25, 2025.

Abstract

Inflammation has been considered a pivotal player in the most severe forms of respiratory infections like COVID-19, which induces a significant alteration of inflammatory cytokines called cytokine storm. Above the immune system, abnormalities in coagulation parameters have been observed in COVID-19-affected subjects displaying an increased risk of a blood clot causing thromboembolic events. Currently, clinical methods for monitoring infections rely on serological tests that detect the antibody response using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). While ELISA offers high sensitivity, it is limited by complex procedures, significant matrix interference, and antibody cross-reactivity. This study aims to develop a mass spectrometry (MS)-based analytical method to support clinical investigations into the host response to infection. The use of S-Trap column digestion in a short time overcomes the limitations of traditional bottom-up proteomics protocols by significantly reducing processing time and eliminating the need for a desalting step. A targeted tandem MS approach using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ion mode was established to simultaneously quantify a panel of approximately 60 proteins associated with the inflammatory response and coagulation cascade. Among the proteins analyzed, 90% exhibited a good instrumental response, with 63% showing significant dysregulation in COVID-19 patients compared to controls, enabling the identification of key protein changes linked to the host's infection response. The proposed method leverages the enhanced sensitivity and selectivity of the multiplexed LC-MRM/MS technique, made possible by triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. These instruments effectively filter precursor and product ions, allowing specific monitoring of fragmentation patterns unique to each peptide sequence. By combining a rapid digestion protocol with a multiplexed LC-MRM/MS approach, this method offers a valuable solution for clinical laboratories aiming for high-specificity, high-performance analyses within a shortened analysis time.

PMID:
40562979
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 26 Jun 2025.

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