Objective: To screen the differential expressed proteins of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis by comparative proteomics.
Methods: PBMCs from 10 patients with tuberculosis and 10 healthy volunteers were collected. The total proteins were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The sites of differential expression were analyzed using ImageMaster 2D Elite 5.0 image analysis software, and the peptide mass finger-printing (PMF) identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The biological information of these proteins was searched in the database and confirmed by Western blot.
Results: Well reproducible 2-DE maps of PBMC from the patients with tuberculosis and normal controls were established. Forteen differential protein spots were found. Twelve proteins were analyzed and identified. Pleckstrin and Ras suppressor protein1 were decreased in patients with tuberculosis while the other 10 proteins were increased. The decreased expression of Pleckstrin in tuberculosis was confirmed by Western blot.
Conclusions: Analysis of differential protein expression in PBMC from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis by comparative proteomics identified 12 proteins. The results suggest that Pleckstrin and Coronin-1A may have an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis through regulating the phagocytosis of mononuclear macrophages.