An iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Plasma Proteins in Preterm Newborns With Retinopathy of Prematurity

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018 Nov 1;59(13):5312-5319. doi: 10.1167/iovs.18-24914.

Abstract

Purpose: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vision-threatening complication of a premature birth, in which the etiology still remains unclear. Importantly, the molecular processes that govern these effects can be investigated in a perturbed plasma proteome composition. Thus, plasma proteomics may add new insights into a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease.

Methods: The cord and peripheral blood of neonates (≤30 weeks gestational age) was drawn at birth and at the 36th postmenstrual week (PMA), respectively. Blood samples were retrospectively subdivided into ROP(+) and ROP(-) groups, according to the development of ROP.

Results: The quantitative analysis of plasma proteome at both time points revealed 30 protein abundance changes between ROP(+) and ROP(-) groups. After standardization to gestational age, children who developed ROP were characterized by an increased C3 complement component and fibrinogen level at both analyzed time points.

Conclusions: Higher levels of the complement C3 component and fibrinogen, present in the cord blood and persistent to 36 PMA, may indicate a chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and hypercoagulable state that may play a role in the development of ROP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Complement C3 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Male
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / blood*
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / genetics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thrombophilia / blood

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Complement C3
  • Fibrinogen