Objective To utilize proteomic analysis to identify protein biomarkers associated with pro-inflammatory HDL in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to analyze proteins associated with immunoaffinity purified HDL from plasma of two sets of RA patients carrying distinct HDL (anti- or pro-) inflammatory properties. Proteins were fractionated by Offgel electrophoresis and analyzed by LC-MS/MS equipped with a high capacity high performance liquid chromatography chip (HPLC-Chip) incorporating C18 reverse phase trapping and analytical columns. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to validate select HDL-associated proteins in a second RA cohort. Results Seventy-eight proteins were identified in the HDL complexes. Twelve proteins were significantly increased in RA patients with pro-inflammatory HDL compared to RA patients with anti-inflammatory HDL. These proteins included acute phase proteins, including apolipoprotein J, fibrinogen, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and complement factors (B, C3, C9). Four of the proteins associated with HDL were validated in a second RA cohort. Conclusion Pro-inflammatory HDL in patients with RA contains a significantly altered proteome including increased amounts of acute phase proteins and proteins involved in the complement cascade. These findings suggest that HDL is significantly altered in the setting of chronic inflammation from active RA with resultant loss of its anti-inflammatory function. The characterization of the biomarkers reported here may identify novel molecular connections that contribute to the higher risk of CVD in RA patients.

A microfluidic chip that integrates all the fluidic components of a gradient liquid chromatography (LC) system is described. These chips were batch-fabricated on a silicon wafer using photolithographic processes and with Parylene as the main structural material. The fabricated chip includes three electrolysis-based electrochemical pumps, one for loading the sample and the other two for delivering the solvent gradient; platinum electrodes for delivering current to the pumps and establishing the electrospray potential; a low-volume static mixer; a column packed with silica-based reversed-phase support; integrated frits for bead capture; and an electrospray nozzle. The fabricated structures were able to withstand pressures in excess of 250 psi. The device was used to perform a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of a mixture of peptides from the trypsin digestion of bovine serum albumen (BSA). Gradient elution through the 1.2-cm column was performed at a flow rate of 80 nL/min. Compared to the analysis of the same sample using a commercial nanoflow LC system, the chromatographic resolution was nearly as good, and the total cycle time was significantly reduced because of the minimal volume between the pumps and the column. Results demonstrate the potential of mass-produced, low-cost microfluidic systems capable of performing LC separations for proteomics applications.

Studies in both mice and humans suggest that the anti-or proinflammatory nature of high density lipoprotein (HDL) may be a more sensitive predictor of risk for coronary heart disease events. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of two proteins (m/z 14,900 and 15,600) that are most dramatically associated with HDL in mouse models of atherosclerosis. Mass spectral analyses of proinflammatory HDL identified the two peaks to be hemoglobin (Hb) ␣ and ␤ chains, respectively, with no apparent post-translational modification. Biochemical analysis confirmed the differential association of Hb with HDL from hyperlipidemic mice. We further show that HDL-associated Hb is predominantly in the oxyHb form with distinct physical and chemical properties. Furthermore oxyHbcontaining proinflammatory HDL potently consumed nitric oxide and contracted arterial vessels ex vivo. Moreover Hb also was found differentially associated with HDL from coronary heart disease patients compared with healthy controls. Our data suggest that Hb contributes to the proinflammatory nature of HDL in mouse and human models of atherosclerosis and may serve as a novel biomarker for atherosclerosis.