Identification of New Molecular Pathways Involved in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Proteomics Approaches

Comprehensive protein profiling is a powerful approach to identify newmolecular pathways and targets to better understand the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We applied proteomics approaches to identify differential protein profiling in human lung tissues (n 3, GOLD [Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease] 2 compared with GOLD 0; Group 1) and in primary cultured human lung fibroblasts (isolated from GOLD 2 and GOLD 0; Group 2) in response to cigarette smoke extracts (CSE; 20%, 8 h). Patient classification of GOLD 2 and GOLD 0 was carefully characterized. Each group was compared using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. The two samples from each group were either labeled Cy3 or Cy5 and electrophoresed on the same gel to compare relative quantification of protein spots between both samples. Gel images were analyzed using DeCyder software