Proteomic Analysis of Human Saliva via Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled with Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2024 Apr 9;96(14):5363-5367. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00307. Epub 2024 Mar 27.

Abstract

Proteomics of human saliva samples was achieved for the first time via biocompatible solid-phase microextraction (bio-SPME) devices. Upon introduction of a porogen to a conventional C18 coating, porous C18/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) SPME blades were able to extract peptides up to 3.0 kDa and more peptides than commercial SPME blades. Following Trypsin digestion, salivary proteomic analysis was achieved via SPME-LC-MS/MS. Seven endogenous proteins were consistently identified in all saliva samples via bio-SPME. Taking advantage of this strategy, untargeted peptidomics was applied for the comparison of saliva samples between healthy and SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals. The results showed clear peptidomic differences between the viral and healthy saliva samples. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential of bio-SPME-LC-MS/MS for peptidomics and proteomics in biomedical applications.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Humans
  • Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry*
  • Peptides / analysis
  • Proteomics
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Solid Phase Microextraction / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry* / methods

Substances

  • Peptides