Proteome Dynamics in Biobanked Horse Peripheral Blood Derived Lymphocytes (PBL) with Induced Autoimmune Uveitis.

The research paper is a deep investigation into the differences in peripheral blood derived lymphocytes (PBL) proteomes during normal conditions and autoaggressive states, in the context of Equine recurrent uveitis, which serves as a model for human autoimmune recurrent uveitis.

Objective of the Research

• The research aimed to understand the dynamics of proteomes in PBL during autoimmune uveitis, a prevalent ocular autoimmune disorder that leads to inflammation and could potentially result in blindness. This disorder has been frequently encountered in humans and horses.

Research Methodology

• The researchers utilized samples from a specific case of equine recurrent uveitis, which were collected at different stages: pre-attack (Day 0), during attack (Day 15), and post-attack (Day 23).
• These samples, frozen for 14 years since their collection, were studied using a quantitative, differentiating proteome analysis to observe how the protein abundances in the PBL fluctuated.

Key Findings

• Through their research, the team was able to acquire quantitative data on 2632 proteins across all the three time points.
• There were profound changes in the PBL protein abundance when Day 0 (pre-attack) was compared with Day 15 (during attack) with 1070 regulated proteins, and Day 0 with Day 23 (post-attack) with 1571 regulated proteins.
• Significant differences were observed in proteins with roles in integrin signaling during active uveitis, with changes noted in pathways, including those relating to collagen binding in corneal epithelia, integrins in angiogenesis, and integrin-linked kinase signaling.
• At the cessation of uveitic attack, different proteins, belonging to the pathways of non-genotropic androgen signaling, classical complement pathway, and Amb2 integrin signaling displayed significant changes.

Significance of the Research

• This investigation provides valuable data on the dynamics of PBL proteomes during autoimmune uveitis.
• The findings confirm other research indicating changes in these pathways in naturally occurring uveitis, which bolsters the reliability of the induced model for studying the spontaneous version of the disorder.

Finally, all mass spectrometry data generated during the research has been deposited for public view in the ProteomeXchange consortium via the PRIDE repository.