All issues > Volume 52(5); 2009

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2009;52(5):567-575. Published online May 15, 2009.

Proteomic analysis of human serum from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

Chang Woo CW Lee¹, Seung Taek ST Yu¹, Ha Young HY Choi², Bun Jeong BJ Koh², Yong Guen YG Kwak²

¹Department of Pediatrics, Wonkwang University College of Medicine, Iksan, Korea
²Department of Neurosurgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonbuk, Korea

Correspondence Yong Guen YG Kwak ,Email: ygkwak@chonbuk.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: Epilepsy affects more than 0.5% of the world's population. It has a large genetic component and is caused by electrical hyperexcitability in the central nervous system. Despite its prevalence, the disease lacks definitive diagnostic serological biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers for epilepsy by a convenient method, we analyzed the expression of serum proteins, reflecting alterations in the patient's proteomes.
Methods
: We compared two-dimensional electrophoretic band patterns of human sera from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with those of eight control subjects. The differentially expressed bands were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Results
: Twelve proteins were differentially expressed in the TLE group, of which 6 were identified. Expression of haptoglobin Hp2, PRO2675, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, an unnamed protein, and three unidentified proteins were upregulated in serum from the patients with TLE, whereas those of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, plasma retinol-binding protein precursor, and three unidentified proteins were downregulated in these patients. After resection of the epileptogenic zone, the expressions of MHC class I antigen, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, two of the downregulated unidentified proteins, and one of the upregulated unidentified proteins returned to the normal range.
Conclusion
: The 12 serum proteins in this study are potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of TLE.

Keywords :Proteomics, Proteome, Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe