Identification of diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of anthrax from human aortic endothelial cells

Bacillus anthracis, an endospore-forming, gram-positive bacterium, causes anthrax in livestock and humans. Anthrax spores are one of the most threatening biological weapons and were used in the 2001 anthrax attacks in the USA. However, tools for early diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of anthrax patients did not exist until now. Here, our research focused on identifying biomarkers secreted from human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) that could be applied to monitor anthrax patients. Biomarker candidates were identified by analysing the secretomes of HAECs after treating anthrax toxins by nano-liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS). We identified three secreted biomarker candidates: lactotransferrin (LTF), pregnancy zone protein (PZP), and sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein (SLMAP); these were also confirmed by immunoblot analysis. The results suggested that these novel biomarkers from anthrax toxin-treated HAECs could be utilised as diagnostic b...