Development of a Xylene-Free Sample Preparation Protocol for Quantitative Proteomics of Clinically Relevant Formaldehyde-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Needle Biopsy Samples

Background: Fresh frozen tissues are considered the gold standard for proteomic analyses due to their superior preservation of protein integrity; however, their use is limited by the logistical and financial requirements of long-term cold storage. Formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues...

Teljes leírás

Elmentve itt :
Bibliográfiai részletek
Szerzők: Moagi Gontse Mabuse
Beke Lívia
Méhes Gábor
Kecskeméti Gábor
Szabó Zoltán
Turiák Lilla
Csősz Éva
Dokumentumtípus: Cikk
Megjelent: 2026
Sorozat:PROTEOMES 14 No. 2
Tárgyszavak:
doi:10.3390/proteomes14020030

mtmt:37353695
Online Access:http://publicatio.bibl.u-szeged.hu/40525
Leíró adatok
Tartalmi kivonat:Background: Fresh frozen tissues are considered the gold standard for proteomic analyses due to their superior preservation of protein integrity; however, their use is limited by the logistical and financial requirements of long-term cold storage. Formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues provide a practical alternative, owing to their stability and widespread availability in clinical settings. A critical step in FFPE proteomics is deparaffinization, which traditionally relies on organic solvents such as xylene, along with the efficient reversal of formaldehyde-induced crosslinks. Methods: In this study, we evaluated multiple FFPE protein extraction and digestion workflows including chaotropic, surfactant-based, and detergent-free approaches in combination with xylene-free deparaffinization strategies, using label-free data-independent acquisition (DIA) LC-MS/MS. Results: Among the tested methods, a chaotropic, reductant, and surfactant-free in-solution digestion workflow demonstrated robust protein and peptide recovery. A modified version of this protocol further improved peptide coverage while maintaining comparable protein depth. The applicability of the optimized workflow was assessed using FFPE needle biopsy samples from control, hepatic steatosis, and liver fibrosis groups. Exploratory proteomic patterns were observed across conditions, with hepatic steatosis associated with early activation of stress-response pathways, while fibrosis showed evidence suggesting altered lipid metabolism. Conclusions: Overall, this study presents a simple, xylene-free, and MS-compatible workflow for FFPE proteomics that is suitable for low-input clinical samples and may support broader application of archival tissues in proteomic research.
Terjedelem/Fizikai jellemzők:20
ISSN:2227-7382