Proteomic profiles of thyroid tumors by mass spectrometry-imaging on tissue microarrays

- Histological TMA-based thyroid lesions were analyzed by MALDI-Imaging.
- Cluster of proteins able to discriminate malignant from benign lesions were identified.
- FFINC, ACTB1, LMNA, HSP7C and KAD1 appear to be upregulated specifically in the neoplastic tissues.
- MARCS, CATB, CAND1 and TR150 were over-expressed in FAs while THYG, PHB, ZN484, TFDP3, NID2 and AATC in HP lesions.

The current study proposes the successful use of a mass spectrometry-imaging technology that explores the composition of biomolecules and their spatial distribution directly on-tissue to differentially classify benign and malignant cases, as well as different histotypes. To identify new specific markers, we investigated with this technology a wide histological Tissue Microarray (TMA)-based thyroid lesion series. Results showed specific protein signatures for malignant and benign specimens and allowed to build clusters comprising several proteins with discriminant capabilities. Among them, FINC, ACTB1, LMNA, HSP7C and KAD1 were identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS and found up-expressed in malignant lesions. These findings represent the opening of further investigations for their translation into clinical practice, e.g. for setting up new immunohistochemical stainings, and for a better understanding of thyroid lesions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: MALDI Imaging, edited by Dr. Corinna Henkel and Prof. Peter Hoffmann.

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