It is estimated that diabetes—collective types 1 and 2 diabetes—afflicts nearly 24 million Americans, with nearly one third of these individuals unaware that they are affected by the disease. Diabetes is conservatively estimated to be the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and is found to occur disproportionately (in a greater percentage) in minority populations. The prevalence of diabetes, which has increased by ˜50% over the decade from 1990 to 2000, is estimated to double in the next forty years, and by many accounts is considered a pandemic threat within the nation with regards to increased mortality, decreased quality of life and escalating costs in healthcare. In 2007, it is estimated that the total cost of diabetes care was $174 billion, with a majority of that amount spent solely on medical expenditures. Diabetes is responsible for 12,000-24,000 new cases of blindness each year, and is the leading cause of kidney failure, responsible for ˜150,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease at a cost of >$ 7.5 billion/year for dialysis treatment alone. It is also responsible for 60% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations—82,000 in 2002 were due to diabetes—which, in a morbid view of cost accounting equates to the nation spending˜$8 billion each year to remove limbs. With regard to these major outcomes—death or disability—the effects of diabetes can be prevented (or at least delayed) through early detection and treatment. Non-drug treatment regimes focus on lifestyle intervention in the form of diet modification, weight loss and exercise regiments. Classical drug treatment of aggressive diabetes is through sulfonylureas or metformin, as well as formulations of short- and long-acting forms of insulin. More recently, new drugs, as typified by dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors (e.g., Januvia and Galvus) have shown great promise in controlling blood glucose levels. Moreover, there are currently in excess of 350 drug candidates in development (e.g., GLP-1 analogs, DPP-IV inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors), making diabetes second only to cancer in health-related R&D focus. Important to the timely administration of all treatments is diagnosis at an early stage, preferably through the sensitive detection of biomarkers in easily accessible biofluids. Equally important—especially considering the many new drugs in development—is the use of markers to monitor the effectiveness of the treatments.
Currently, two biomarkers are commonly used in the detection of diabetes; blood glucose and glucose-modified hemoglobin (HbA1c). These two markers are essentially a direct (glucose) and indirect (HbA1c) monitor of elevated glucose in the blood stream. Each marker has its own usefulness in detecting and monitoring diabetes. Glucose is an immediate measurement of elevated blood glucose, and is used in both assisting diagnosis and monitoring of treatments for diabetes. HbA1c is a measurement of longer-term exposure to elevated blood glucose the time-scale is generally equated with the in vivo half-life of hemoglobin (60-90 days)—and is typically used in monitoring the ongoing management of diabetes. Both markers can be measured using a single clinical laboratory platform (e.g., Beckman Coulter SYNCHRON), although each requires a different assay scenario. Glucose is typically measured using enzyme assays (hexokinase) with spectrophotometric readout, whereas HbA1c is measured using a direct spectrophotometric measurement of total hemoglobin in combination with turbidimetric immunoinhibition for the measurement of the glycated hemoglobin. Additionally, a number of point-of-care devices have become available for both markers—e.g., Therasense Freestyle (glucose) and Bio-Rad in2it (HbA1c)—illustrating the importance of translating biomarkers and assays closer to the patient.
Both analyses rely on the accurate measurement of relatively small quantitative changes in the target biomarker. During fasting blood sugar tests, a blood glucose level of <100 mg/dL is considered normal, whereas levels greater than 126 mg/dL are consistent with diabetes; an approximately 25% change in concentration. Similar increases are associated with oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), where <140 mg/dL is considered normal and >200 mg/dL is indicative of diabetes (an ˜40% change). Instead of measuring an absolute concentration, glycated hemoglobin is measured relative to total hemoglobin. HbA1c values of <6% are the target values for normal individuals or diabetics undergoing treatment, whereas values greater than 7% are indicative of poor management and may warrant change in treatment (i.e., as little as a 16% change in relative abundance is considered significant). To compound matters, there are gray-areas in these values (i.e., fasting glucose of 100-125 mg/dL; OGTT=140-200 mg/dL; and HbA1c=6-7%), which are often attributed to a “pre-diabetic” state.
Accordingly, differentiating a healthy state from a pre-diabetic state or differentiating a pre-diabetic state from a diabetic state requires even more precise measurement than what the currently available single markers can provide.
As such, there is a need to develop multiple novel markers and assays, which when used with appropriate data evaluation methods are able to accurately detect diabetes as well as monitor the effects of treatment.
The present invention identifies novel biomarkers and combinations thereof. The present invention also provides assays and data evaluation methods related to the detection and monitoring of diabetes. In particular, the biomarkers in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, modified forms of nominally wild-type proteins. Modifications of proteins contemplated by the present invention can be conducted by methods well known in the art, including, but not limited to, genetic modifications (GM), posttranslational modifications (PTM) and/or metabolic alterations (MA). Particular forms of diabetes contemplated by the methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to, type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), pre-T1D and pre-T2DM. The biomarkers, assays and data evaluation methods also have implication in other disorders resulting in comparably modified forms of proteins. Of key importance is the ability of assays to unambiguously detect GM, PTM and MA forms of proteins while in the presence of the wild-type forms of the proteins. Additionally important is the ability to detect multiple biomarkers in a single assay and to employ data evaluation methods able to accurately use these data in the determination and monitoring of diabetes.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to novel biomarkers including, but not limited to, Gc-Globulin or GcG (also known as Vitamin D binding protein), beta-2-microglobulin (b2m), cystatin C (cysC), Albumin and Hem A&B.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method for the detection and monitoring of a disease or disorder, preferably, diabetes, by detecting and/assaying biomarkers including, but not limited to, GM, PTM and MA forms of human plasma and urinary proteins.
In still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for the detection and monitoring of a disease or disorder, preferably, diabetes, by using multiple assays to determine combinations of GM, PTM and/or MA related to diabetes.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for the detection and monitoring of a disease or disorder, preferably, diabetes, by using a single assay to simultaneously determine combinations of GM, PTM and/or MA related to diabetes.
In a particular aspect of the present invention, the GM, PTM and MA are all present on the same gene product and are all detected in a single protein-based analysis.
In still yet another aspect, multiple data obtained from the multiple markers in accordance with the methods of the present invention are further evaluated using classification algorithms to establish healthy and diabetic states.
In a further aspect, biomarkers in accordance with the methods of the present invention are correlated with in vivo lifetimes to establish a longitudinal record related to diabetic and pre-diabetic states.
In another particular aspect, biomarkers in accordance with the methods of the present invention are correlated with in vivo lifetimes to establish a longitudinal record related to the management and treatment of diabetes.
These and still further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description and attached drawings. To this end, various references are cited throughout the background section and detailed description, each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to novel biomarkers including, but not limited to, Gc-Globulin or GcG (also known as Vitamin D binding protein), beta-2-microglobulin (b2m), cystatin C (cysC), Albumin and Hem A&B.
By “biomarker” is meant a substance used as an indicator of a biologic state. As used in the present application, a biomarker is a characteristic that can be objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention. A particularly preferred biomarker contemplated by the present invention is a substance whose detection indicates a particular disease or disorder state including, but not limited to, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary and peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and nutritional deficiencies; either alone or as comorbidities associated with diabetes. The present invention also contemplates a biomarker that indicates a change in expression or state of a protein that correlates with the risk or progression of a disease, or with the susceptibility of the disease to a given treatment.
According to the present invention, a biomarker can be genetically modified (GM), posttranslationally modified (PTM) or metabolically altered (MA). The contemplated biomarkers are found in gene products detected from common biological milieu (e.g., plasma, serum, urine, saliva, tears, sweat or tissue extracts). Genetic modifications can include, but are not limited to, nucleotide polypmorphisms, point mutations, haplotypes, allelic variants and splice variants. Posttranslational modifications include, but are not limited to, enzymatic and non-enzymatic modification of gene products related to general or specific physiologies. Metabolic alterations include, but are not limited to, enzymatic and non-enzymatic modification of gene products related to pathophysiologies of disease.
The present invention also contemplates assays and/or methods of data evaluation for use in the detection and monitoring of diseases or disorders including, but not limited to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary and peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and nutritional deficiencies; either alone or as comorbidities associated with diabetes. Preferably, the present invention is directed to assays and/or methods of data evaluation for use in the detection and monitoring of diabetes.
Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for the detection and monitoring of a disease or disorder by detecting and/or assaying biomarkers including, but not limited to, GM, PTM and MA forms of human plasma and urinary proteins. The disease or disorder to be detected and/or monitored by the present invention include, but are not limited to, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary and peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and nutritional deficiencies; either alone or as comorbidities associated with diabetes. Preferably, the present invention is directed to method for the detection and monitoring of diabetes by detecting and/or assaying GM, PTM and MA forms of human plasma and urinary biomarker proteins.
Assays in accordance with the present invention can include both conventional or unconventional forms of gene product analysis, including but not limited to, immunometeric (e.g., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA)), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and mass spectrometry (MS), or combinations thereof.
Methods of data evaluation in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, linear regression, weighted and non-weighted evaluation of genotypic and phenotypic values, principal component analysis (PCA), soft independent modeling of class analogies (SIMCSA), and time-dependent evaluations, such as genotypic and phenotypic values versus disease state versus time (or protein half-life).
Detection and diagnosis of diabetes in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, the determination risk factors and onset markers, and the combination thereof. Detection and diagnosis contemplated by the present invention also include the use of multiple markers in combination to accurately differentiate among a healthy, pre-diabetic and diabetic state, as well as differentiate a healthy, pre-diabetic or diabetic state from other diseases.
By “monitoring” in accordance with the present invention includes the use of one or more markers to ascertain the status or progression of diabetes, as well as response to treatment.
In still another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for the detection and monitoring of a disease or disorder, preferably, diabetes, by using multiple assays to determine combinations of GM, PTM and/or MA related to diabetes.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for the detection and monitoring of a disease or disorder, preferably, diabetes, by using a single assay to simultaneously determine combinations of GM, PTM and/or MA related to diabetes.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the GM, PTM and MA are all present on the same gene product and are all detected in a single protein-based analysis.
In still yet another embodiment, multiple data obtained from the multiple markers in accordance with the methods of the present invention are further evaluated using classification algorithms to establish healthy and diabetic states.
In a further embodiment, biomarkers in accordance with the methods of the present invention are correlated with in vivo lifetimes to establish a longitudinal record related to diabetic and pre-diabetic states.
In accordance with the present invention, T2DM is detected and monitored by the following method. The method includes the following steps, resulting in the detection of specific proteins in a subject's body fluid. Plasma, serum, urine, saliva, tears, sweat or tissue extracts are all examples of suitable bodily fluids. Initially a fluid sample is collected from a subject. In one embodiment, the fluid sample collected is blood. After collection, the fluid is prepared to undergo Mass Spectrometric Immunoassay (MSIA) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The specific preparation and testing by MSIA utilizing ESI-MS is described more fully in Example 2 below.
In another embodiment, after collection the fluid is prepared to undergo MSIA using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The specific preparation and testing by MSIA utilizing MALDI-TOFMS is described more fully in Example 2 below.
Results provided by the specific mass spectrometer were collected for several glycation markers, including GcG, b2m, cysC, Alb, and Hem A&B. Further, results provided by the specific mass spectrometer were collected for several oxidative stress markers, including albumin (Alb), Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1), Apolipoprotein C1 (Apo C1), and transthyretin (TTR). Further, results provided by the specific mass spectrometer were collected for two Enzymatic signaling markers, including C-peptide (C-pep) and Insulin.
Glycation markers in T2DM subjects present themselves as positive mass shifts in MS results relative to target proteins of healthy subjects. This is further described in Example 4 below. Specifically, elevated proportions of glycation were observed in b2m, sysC, GcG, Alb and hemoglobin A&B chains ((Hem A&B)—a component of which is HbA1c).
Oxidative stress markers in T2DM subjects present themselves as positive mass shifts in MS results relative to target proteins of healthy subjects. This is further described in Example 8 below. Specifically, differential oxidation was observed in select high density lipoprotein components Apo A1, Apo C1 as well as TTR and Alb.
Enzyme markers in T2DM subjects, specifically C-peptide and Insulin, present themselves in a negative mass shift where certain proteins have been truncated. This is further described in Example 7 below. Specifically, truncated variants of C-pep and insulin were observed in greater abundance at higher frequency in T2DM subjects.
Initial univariate using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and multivariate evaluation of all data with principal component analysis (PCA_ and soft independent modeling of class analogies (SIMCA) resulted in good separation between healthy and subjects with T2DM. This data can be used to monitor the trajectory of health to T2DM in a specific subject. Further this data can be used to provide a retrospective analysis of glycation levels for a subject over the past several days.
The present invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.
Given below are examples of genetic, posttranslational and metabolic alterations obtained through population screening of subjects consisting of healthy individuals (not known to have ailments; n=50), T2DM individuals (diagnosed as T2DM and treated through diet, exercise and non-insulin drugs; n=37) and id-T2DM individuals (insulin-dependent, diagnosed as T2DM and treated through administration of insulin; n=15). EDTA-plasma samples were collected from these individuals (under informed consent and IRB approval) after 8-hours fasting, and stored at −70° C. until analyzed using the methods described below. Records of gender, race, BMI, medical history and current treatment were also obtained for each diabetic individual.
Table 1 shows an exemplary list of 15 blood-borne markers (proteins & protein variants), each able to differentiate subjects between healthy and T2DM. It is important to note that all of the markers are due to the relative modulation of PTM's associated with physiological pathways known to be influential in the diagnosis or treatment of T2DM.
The hemoglobin MSIA detects HbA1c, as well as a second PTM of hemoglobin B-chain (at +120 Da) and glycation of the A-chain (+162 Da). Differential oxidation is monitored as depletion of the native form relative to all modified forms (e.g., cysteinylation at +119 Da). Differential glycation is also monitored (simultaneously) using this assay. Differential oxidation is increased sulfonation (+80 Da) occurring at cys10. Oxidation occurs at methionines (+16—to—+48 Da). Percentages reflect total oxidation capacity. Apo C1 has two forms, intact and truncated at n-terminal ThrPro. C-pep is truncated at n-terminal GluAla—termed C-peptide(3-31). Insulin is truncated at c-terminal Thr (b-chain). This assay also readily detects mass-shifted insulin formulations, e.g., Lantus and Novolog.
In the Observation Column of Table 1, the noted percentages are measures of specific species for each protein. Beta-2 microglobulin measures one form of relative glycation. Cystatin C measures one form of relative glycation. GcG measures one form of relative glycation and three haplotypes of genotype data which were correlated with T2DM. Albumin measures two forms of relative glycation and one form, cysteinylation, of oxidation. Hemoglobin A&B measure one form of relative glycation of hemoglobin A and two forms of hemoglobin B chains. TTR measures two forms of relative oxidation, cysteinylation and sulfonation. Apo A1 measures three forms of relative oxidation. Apo C1 measures two forms of relative oxidation. C-peptide measures two forms of relative truncations, des(E) and des(EA). Insulin measures one form of relative truncations of endogenous insulin, b-chain des (30) and relative contribution of administered forms of Novolog and Lantus and their truncated forms.
These investigations were performed using subjects consisting of 50 healthy individuals (i.e. these not known to have ailments), and 52 T2DM patients (comprised of 37 individuals diagnosed as T2DM and treated through diet, exercise and non-insulin drugs, and 15 insulin-dependent individuals who were diagnosed as T2DM and treated through administration of insulin). EDTA-plasma samples were collected from these individuals after 8-hours fasting, and stored at −70° C. until analyzed using the methods described below. Records of gender, race, BMI, medical history and current treatment were also obtained for each diabetic individual.
MSIA was performed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) as follows. Human plasma samples (125 μL) were diluted 2-fold in HEPES-buffered saline (HBS) and placed in a 96-well titer plate. Proteins (and variants) were extracted using a robotic system fitted with extraction pipette tips prepared with rabbit anti-human polyclonal IgG toward the protein of choice. After extraction, non-specifically bound protein was removed through rinsing with HBS, water, 2M ammonium acetate/acetonitrile (3:1 v/v), then water again. Retained protein was next eluted by aspirating 5 μL of formic acid/acetonitrile/water (9/5/1 v/v/v) into the tips (covering the solid support) and after a short time (˜30 seconds) expelling the eluted protein into wells of a clean titer plate. Eluents were then diluted 2-fold with water in preparation for ESI-MS. Typically, 24 samples were processed in parallel (rather than the full 96) to match the daily throughput of the LC/ESI-MS. Mass spectrometry was performed using a Bruker microTOFq operating in conjunction with an Eksigent nanoLC*1D low-flow HPLC. A trap-and-elute form of sample concentration/solvent exchange rather than traditional LC was used for these analyses. Five-microliter samples were injected by a Spark Holland Endurance autosampler in microliter pick-up mode and loaded by the Eksigent nanoLC*1D at 10 μL/min (90/10 water/acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid, Solvent A) onto a protein captrap (Michrom Bioresources, Auburn, Calif.) configured for unidirectional flow on a 6-port divert valve. After two minutes, the divert valve position was automatically toggled and flow over the captrap cartridge was changed to 1 μL/min Solvent A (running directly to the ESI inlet) which was immediately ramped over 8 minutes to 10/90 water/acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid. By 10.2 minutes the run was completed and the flow back to 100% solvent A. Data were acquired in TOF-only mode by allowing all ions through the quadruple stage of the mass spectrometer (no preselection) and monitoring time-of-flight ions in the m/z range of 500-3000 (sampling at 5 kHz). Approximately 1.5 minutes of recorded spectra were averaged across the chromatographic peak apex of protein elution. The ESI charge-state envelope was deconvoluted with Bruker Daltonics' DataAnalysis v3.4 software to a mass range of 1000 Da on either side of any deconvoluted peak. Deconvoluted spectra were baseline subtracted and all peaks were integrated.
MSIA was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Briefly, proteins and variants were extracted from plasma using a robotic system fitted with extraction pipette tips derivatized with rabbit anti-human polyclonal IgG toward the protein of interest. After extraction, non-specifically bound protein was removed through rinsing with HBS, water, 2M ammonium acetate/acetonitrile (3:1 v/v), then water again. Retained protein was next eluted by aspirating 5 μL of matrix solution (2:1 v/v, H2O:ACN saturated with sinapinic acid with 0.4% added TFA) into the tips (covering the solid support) and depositing the matrix/protein mixture onto the surface of a 96-well formatted MALDI-TOF-MS target. Mass spectrometry was performed using a Bruker Autoflex III operating in delayed-extraction linear mode and laser (Nd:YAG) repetition rate of 200 Hz. Spectra (2,500 laser shots) were acquired by summing 25×100 laser-shot spectra [each meeting the criteria of S/N>10 and resolution (FWHM)>1,000] taken from different sites within a sample preparation. Spectra were processed by baseline subtraction followed by signal integration (to baseline) of each signal of interest. For each individual, the relative value of the variant (ion signal) was determined by normalizing the integral of the variant form of the protein to the integral of all observed forms of the protein.
Go-Globulin or GcG (also known as Vitamin D binding protein) is a plasma protein with a nominal molecular weight of ˜51 kDa and an estimated concentration in plasma of 200-600 mg/L. It is known to be present in human populations as three high-frequency allelic variants, Gc-1F, Gc-1S and Gc-2, as well as other low-frequency variants. Major biological roles for GcG include vitamin D metabolite transport, fatty acid transport, actin sequestration, and macrophage activation. Modification of this protein can thus constitute a biological event of wide-sweeping consequence.
During the course of investigation, genotypic and phenotypic variants of GcG were analyzed from blood plasma using immunoaffinity extraction followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Human plasma samples (125 μL) were diluted 2-fold in HEPES-buffered saline (HBS) and placed in a 96-well titer plate. GcG (and variants) was extracted using the robotic system fitted with extraction pipette tips prepared with rabbit anti-human GcG polyclonal IgG. After extraction, non-specifically bound protein was removed through rinsing with HBS, water, 2M ammonium acetate/acetonitrile (3:1 vN), then water again. Retained protein was next eluted by aspirating 5 μL of formic acid/acetonitrile/water (9/5/1 v/v/v) into the tips (covering the solid support) and after a short time (˜30 seconds) expelling the eluted protein into wells of a clean titer plate. Eluents were then diluted 2-fold with water in preparation for ESI-MS. Typically, 24 samples were processed in parallel (rather than the full 96) to match the daily throughput of the ESI-MS. Mass spectrometry was performed using a Bruker microTOFq operating in conjunction with an Eksigent nanoLC*1D low-flow HPLC. A trap-and-elute form of sample concentration/solvent exchange rather than traditional LC was used for these analyses. Five-microliter samples were injected by a Spark Holland Endurance autosampler in microliter pick-up mode and loaded by the Eksigent nanoLC*1D at 10 μL/min (90/10 water/acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid, Solvent A) onto a protein captrap (Microm Bioresources, Auburn, Calif.) configured for unidirectional flow on a 6-port divert valve. After two minutes, the divert valve position was automatically toggled and flow over the captrap cartridge was changed to 1 μL/min Solvent A (running directly to the ESI inlet) which was immediately ramped over 8 minutes to 10/90 water/acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid. By 10.2 minutes the run was completed and the flow back to 100% solvent A. Data were acquired in TOF-only mode by allowing all ions through the quadruple stage of the mass spectrometer (no preselection) and monitoring time-of-flight ions in the m/z range of 500-3000 (sampling at 5 kHz). Approximately 1.5 minutes of recorded spectra were averaged across the chromatographic peak apex of GcG elution. The ESI charge-state envelope was deconvoluted with Bruker Daltonics' DataAnalysis v3.4 software to a mass range of 1000 Da on either side of any deconvoluted peak. Deconvoluted spectra were baseline subtracted and all peaks were integrated. Tabulated mass spectral peak areas were exported to a spreadsheet for further calculation and determination of relative peak abundances.
This example demonstrates both genetic modifications (GM) and posttranslational modifications (PTM) present in products stemming from a single gene, and the ability to determine such modifications simultaneously using a single analysis (i.e., in a single analytical mode).
A particular advantage of protein-based analysis is the ability to map additional data not available through nucleic acid-based assays. As shown in
This example demonstrates both a genetic modification (GM) and a metabolic alteration (MA) present in products stemming from a single gene, and the ability to analyze them simultaneously using a single analysis (i.e., in a single analytical mode).
In continued population-based screening, glycated variants of two other plasma proteins-beta-2-microglobulin (b2m) (the light chain of the Class I major histocompatibility complex, normally present in plasma at ˜1 mg/L) and cystatin C (cysC) (a cysteine protease inhibitor, normally present in plasma at −0.1 mg/L)—were found at elevated levels in T2DM subjects. Assays were performed by simultaneously extracting b2m and cysC from the same sample preparations used in the GcG assays using extraction pipette tips derivatized with rabbit anti-human b2m and cysC polyclonal IgG. After extraction, non-specifically bound protein was removed through rinsing with HBS, water, 2M ammonium acetate/acetonitrile (3:1 v/v), then water again. Retained protein was next eluted by aspirating 5 μL of matrix solution (2:1 v/v, H2O:ACN saturated with sinapinic acid with 0.4% added TFA) into the tips (covering the solid support) and depositing the matrix/protein mixture onto the surface of a 96-well formatted MALDI-TOF-MS target. Mass spectrometry was performed using a Bruker Autoflex III operating in delayed-extraction linear mode and laser (Nd:YAG) repetition rate of 200 Hz. Spectra (2,500 laser shots) were acquired by summing 25×100 laser-shot spectra [each meeting the criteria of S/N>10 and resolution (FWHM)>1,000] taken from different sites within a sample preparation. Spectra were processed by baseline subtraction followed by signal integration (to baseline) of each signal of interest. For each individual, the relative glycation value (ion signal) was determined by normalizing the integral of the glycated form of the protein (either b2m or cysC) to the integral of all observed forms of the protein.
Similar results were obtained during the cysC screening.
This example demonstrates the ability to use a single analysis to simultaneously determine multiple forms of products stemming from multiple genes, which include metabolic alterations (MA) related to disease. This example also demonstrates a multiplexed assay able to simultaneously analyze more than one MA related to disease.
In this study, plasma from Example 1 were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed for C-peptide using methodologies similar to those used in Examples 2-4.
This example demonstrates the use of PTM and MA forms of a protein or gene product as direct markers of enzymatic activity related to a disease.
Both glycation and oxidative stress present themselves as positive mass shifts relative to the target proteins. In accordance with the invention, negative mass shifts—i.e., truncations—in certain proteins correlate with T2DM. Briefly, (reflectron) MALDI-TOFMS MSIA assays for C-peptide (C-pep) and insulin (Ins) were developed for use in the studies described here. Upon initial screening in populations, truncated variants of C-pep, insulin and insulin analogs were identified and observed to correlate with the T2DM subject.
Insulin MSIA was also performed on the subjects. Shown in
Targeted analysis of intact TTR in the healthy, T2DM and id-T2DM subjects was performed in a manner analogous to that described above for b2m and cysC.
In a manner similar to protein glycation, differential oxidation was observed in a number of proteins.
All individuals described in Example 1 were analyzed using the assays described above. A precursory view of MA for GcG, b2m and cysC illustrates the separation of healthy from T2DM individuals in 3-dimensional space (
In summary, the SIMCA-based analysis of the three glycated proteins shows considerable promise for use in determining and monitoring T2DM, and represents a lead assay suitable for larger-subject challenge. Moreover, it serves as a technical foundation that can be improved with the addition of other markers (once they are found). To fully appreciate this sort of additive approach to biomarker development, it is worth noting that the present invention is not starting by using multivariate analysis to scrutinize large volumes of spectral data that contain both determinate and indeterminate values. Rather, only data from determinate forms of proteins showing promise as markers—in this case, the relative glycation values of plasma proteins—are added to the analysis. In this manner, the value of individual (independent) markers can be evaluated as part of the entire analysis. For instance, the false positive and negative rates reported above (6 and 4%, respectively) were achieved using all three determinants. These metrics are an improvement over using just two of the proteins—e.g., use of only b2m and GcG data resulted in the next-best false positive and negatives rates (of 8 and 12%, respectively). If the contrary was observed, then the non-value marker would have been exclude from the analysis. This approach of “building” a multi-determinant assay is in contrast to examples of clinical proteomics where an abundance of non-targeted spectral data are considered, much of which is not significant to prediction, and in the worst cases cause errors due to spurious appearance in data sets (64, 65). Thus, by eliminating inconsequential (or erroneous) values from the measurement, and adding only determinate data, the present invention contemplates to maximize data and evaluation methods for the accurate classification of disease.
This example demonstrates the use of multiple values of MA, and PCA or class modeling, to accurately detect and diagnose healthy from disease.
An advantage of performing the MS-based GeG assay is that both genotype and protein phenotype (glycation) data can be obtained in a single analysis—each metric independently having value toward T2DM detection and monitoring. Presently there is no single-analysis assay that is capable of producing equivalent data. Using current technologies, for instance, GcG genotyping can be performed at the nucleic acid-level using, e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) analysis or gene sequencing, Thus, analysis of the three major allelic forms of GcG would require at least two gene-based assays capable of recognizing the two SNP's responsible for the genotypes. Data from such genotyping assays would be combined with glycation data, the assay of which is less straightforward. Similar to HbA1c, measuring the relative abundance of the glycated form of GcG is also important T2DM detection and monitoring. This measurement would require at least two more assays (e.g., protein-based immunometric approaches)—one for all forms of GcG (the denominator) and a second assay capable of recognizing only glycated GcG (the numerator). In total, at least four assays must be performed. Other analytical scenarios may be proposed, but in all cases, multiple assays must be performed to produce the data equivalent of the MS-based assay.
The present invention recognizes using both the GcG genotyping (GM) and glycation (MA) in combination.
The prospects of this sort of (single-analysis) genotype-protein phenotype assay are significant. Such an assay finds value by: 1) Indicating the likelihood of developing T2DM, 2) Detecting T2DM, and 3) Monitoring the progression (and/or effect of treatment) of T2DM on a personalized level. Referring to the data shown in
This example demonstrates the combined use of GM's and MA's, stemming from a single analysis, to stratify a disease. The single assay and data evaluation method is able to indicate predisposition, onset, progression and response to treatment of diabetes.
A particularly novel use of the data from the different glycated proteins (MA) is to view an individual's blood glucose levels (through the glycation levels of the three proteins) as a function of time, temporal fluctuations in glycation van be viewed by correlation with the in vivo lifetime of the proteins. In addition to the more accurate diagnosis of overt T2DM, other topics of interest here are to more accurately define the “grey shade” of pre-T2DM, as well as to monitor an individual's maintenance of T2DM once it is diagnosed. It is conceivable that individuals can drift in and out of a pre-T2DM (or well-maintained) state within the time points monitored using current markers (immediate and ˜90-days in the past). This effect potentially leads to false readings when an individual is originally screened for diagnosis of T2DM—e.g., a low FGT test (with no OGTT or HbA1c) due extensive fasting prior to testing. The opposite may hold true for individuals already diagnosed with T2DM—e.g., those who periodically skip a treatment or do not adequately fast before a fasting glucose test—potentially leading to an unnecessary change in treatment. Multiplexed assays reflective of different time points in an individual's past may offer some benefits regarding these issues.
These time-dependent markers allow a detailed view of an individual's glycation status based on the analysis of a single plasma sample. Used as a monitoring tool, the multi-point image provides a detailed picture of an individual's maintenance of T2DM, which is a form of personalized medicine where an individual is monitored longitudinal relative to his/her-self. The multi-point temporal image of healthy glycation serves as the baseline necessary to potentially resolve high-risk individuals (“pre-T2DM”), where it is conceivable that individuals can drift in and out of a T2DM state. Finally, both short- and long-term glycation are monitored simultaneously, which, regarding the “glucose paradox”, is of considerable interest relative to hyperglycemic-induced oxidative stress.
This example demonstrates the use of multiple MA's to view disease management as a function of time.
Each glycation and oxidative stress marker was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, which reflect the ability of the marker to differentiate healthy from T2DM across all possible assay cutoff values.
The data was subjected to principle components analysis (PCA) for the purpose of creating a soft independent modeling of class analogies (SIMCA) classification (using commercially available software: The Unscrambler; Camo Software, Inc., Woodbridge, N.J.).
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US09/37369 | 3/17/2009 | WO | 00 | 3/4/2011 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61069674 | Mar 2008 | US |