Study on Serum Proteomics of Rheumatism with Damp-heat Syndrome Based on iTRAQ Labeling Method Combined with Bioinformatics Technology

OBJECTIVE To investigate the serum proteomics of rheumatism with damp-heat syndrome by using iTRAQ labeling method together with bioinformatics technology. METHODS 20 serum samples respectively from ankylosing spondylitis with damp-heat syndrome group， arthrolithiasis with damp-heat syndrome group and normal control group were collected for proteomics analysis through iTRAQ labeling and liquid chromatography. Such network database platforms as DAVID， UniProtKB/Swiss Prot and IPA were resorted to perform bioinformatics analysis of differential protein in rheumatic diseases with damp-heat syndromes and verification would be done to the significant differential proteins. RESULTS Fifteen differential proteins of dampness-heat syndrome were obtained， with twelve being the up-regulated expression proteins and three being the down-regulated expression proteins. The five typical biological signaling pathways of most significant meaning related to differential protein expression were obtained through analysis. These differential protein functions and bioinformatic analysis were proved to be related to the acute phase responses and activities of diseases. Verification test results were consistent with those of iTRAQ. CONCLUSION This provides evidences for further study on molecular mechanism of rheumatic diseases with damp-heat syndromes as well as the candidate diagnostic markers.