Proteomic profiling of lymphocytes in autoimmunity, inflammation and cancer

Abstract

Lymphocytes play important roles in the balance between body defense and noxious agents involved in a number of diseases, e.g. autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and cancer. The proteomic analyses have been applied to identify and validate disease-associated and disease-specific biomarkers for therapeutic strategies of diseases. The proteomic profiles of lymphocytes may provide more information to understand their functions and roles in the development of diseases, although proteomic approaches in lymphocytes are still limited. The present review overviewed the proteomics-based studies on lymphocytes to headlight the proteomic profiles of lymphocytes in diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and cancer, with a special focus on lung diseases. We will explore the potential significance of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets from the current status in proteomic studies of lymphocytes and discuss the value of the currently available proteomic methodologies in the lymphocytes research.

Figure 1

Altered protein profile of lymphocytes from rats with colitis. The altered proteins of lymphocytes in colitis fell into the following groups: apoptosis-related proteins, proteins associated with cell growth, differentiation and signal transduction, inflammation factors, proteins associated with metabolism and oxidative stress response. IL-12, interleukin-12; NDPKs, nucleoside diphosphate kinases; E2 N, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme; NF-κB, nuclear factor κB.

Figure 2

Altered protein profiles of T cells from asthma patients. PDE4, hydrolyzing cyclic adenosine monophosphate and/or cyclic guanosine monophosphate, was associated with the MUC5AC expression in human airway epithelial cells. β-Arrestin was suggested to play a role in T cell migration. Glutathione reductase, GST-M3 and thioredoxin were correlated with the antioxidant capacity. HSP-70 protects the cells and tissues from the deleterious effects of numerous mediators, reactive oxygen species, or tumor necrosis factor-α. Cytoskeletal proteins, including Dynein, Vimentin, Tubulin β2, might illustrate the functional changes in the T cells. Cyclin-dependent kinase was related to an abnormal repair process that might contribute to airway inflammation and remodeling. PDE, phosphodiesterase; HSP, heat shock protein; GST, glutathione S transferase.