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Objective: To map the occurrence of amyloid types in a large clinical cohort using mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics, an unbiased method that unambiguously identifies all amyloid types in a single assay., Methods: A mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics assay was implemented in a central reference laboratory. We documented our experience of typing 16,175 amyloidosis specimens over an 11-year period from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018., Results: We identified 21 established amyloid types, including AL (n=9542; 59.0%), ATTR (n=4600; 28.4%), ALECT2 (n=511; 3.2%), AA (n=463; 2.9%), AH (n=367; 2.3%), AIns (n=182; 1.2%), KRT5-14 (n=94; <1%), AFib (n=71; <1%), AApoAIV (n=57; <1%), AApoA1 (n=56; <1%), AANF (n=47; <1%), Aβ2M (n=38; <1%), ASem1 (n=34; <1%), AGel (n=29; <1%), TGFB1 (n=29; <1%), ALys (n=15; <1%), AIAPP (n=13; <1%), AApoCII (n=11; <1%), APro (n=8; <1%), AEnf (n=6; <1%), and ACal (n=2; <1%). We developed the first comprehensive organ-by-type map showing the relative frequency of 21 amyloid types in 31 different organs, and the first type-by-organ map showing organ tropism of 18 rare types. Using a modified bioinformatics pipeline, we detected amino acid substitutions in cases of hereditary amyloidosis with 100% specificity., Conclusion: Amyloid typing by proteomics, which effectively recognizes all amyloid types in a single assay, optimally supports the diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis patients in routine clinical practice., (Copyright © 2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Examination of abdominal subcutaneous fat aspirates is a practical, sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis. Here we describe the development and implementation of a clinical assay using mass spectrometry-based proteomics to type amyloidosis in subcutaneous fat aspirates. First, we validated the assay comparing amyloid-positive (n=43) and -negative (n=26) subcutaneous fat aspirates. The assay classified amyloidosis with 88% sensitivity and 96% specificity. We then implemented the assay as a clinical test, and analyzed 366 amyloid-positive subcutaneous fat aspirates in a 4-year period as part of routine clinical care. The assay had a sensitivity of 90%, and diverse amyloid types, including immunoglobulin light chain (74%), transthyretin (13%), serum amyloid A (%1), gelsolin (1%), and lysozyme (1%), were identified. Using bioinformatics, we identified a universal amyloid proteome signature, which has high sensitivity and specificity for amyloidosis similar to that of Congo red staining. We curated proteome databases which included variant proteins associated with systemic amyloidosis, and identified clonotypic immunoglobulin variable gene usage in immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis, and the variant peptides in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. In conclusion, mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of subcutaneous fat aspirates offers a powerful tool for the diagnosis and typing of systemic amyloidosis. The assay reveals the underlying pathogenesis by identifying variable gene usage in immunoglobulin light chains and the variant peptides in hereditary amyloidosis., (Copyright© Ferrata Storti Foundation.)

Monoclonal gammopathy is increasingly recognized as a common cause of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN); however, establishing this diagnosis can be challenging. We report the case of a 58-year-old asymptomatic woman who presented with proteinuria with protein excretion of 5,000mg/d, microscopic hematuria, and normal kidney function. Kidney biopsy was consistent with MPGN pattern of injury. Immunofluorescence studies were positive for nonspecific segmental immunoglobulin M (IgM) and C3 staining. Electron microscopy showed subendothelial, subepithelial, and mesangial electron-dense deposits. The workup excluded an infectious or autoimmune disease, but IgG κ monoclonal protein was detected in serum at a concentration of 0.4mg/dL. Because there was a mismatch between the serum monoclonal protein (IgG κ) and immunofluorescence staining pattern (nonspecific IgM, no light chain restriction), laser microdissection and mass spectrometry were performed on the kidney biopsy tissue. This identified the deposits as monoclonal IgG κ, thereby leading to the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy-associated MPGN. Our case emphasizes the importance of searching for an underlying cause of MPGN, reviews the technique of laser microdissection-mass spectrometry, and highlights its application as a pathology tool for the evaluation of monoclonal gammopathy-related glomerulonephritis., (Copyright © 2014 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: Laser microdissection (LMD) and mass spectrometry (MS) is a new technique that consists of dissection of glomeruli, tryptic digestion of dissected material, analysis by MS and generation of a protein profile using different algorithms. The review focuses on the use of this methodology as an ancillary technique in a clinical laboratory for the diagnosis of kidney diseases., Recent Findings: LMD/MS is used in the diagnosis and typing of kidney diseases with organized deposits such as amyloidosis. Uncommon and familial forms of renal amyloidosis are diagnosed and typed on the basis of the presence of specific amyloidogenic proteins. LMD/MS is used to confirm and identify immunoglobulins and complement factors in immune complex mediated and complement-mediated proliferative glomerulonephritis, respectively. In particular, LMD/MS can detect monoclonal immunoglobulins in cases of equivocal immunofluorescence studies in monoclonal immunoglobulins-associated glomerulonephritis. LMD/MS can detect specific complement factors of the alternative pathway and terminal pathway in complement-mediated glomerulonephritis., Summary: LMD/MS is currently used for diagnosis and typing of amyloidosis. In addition, LMD/MS is useful in determining the type of immunoglobulins and complement factors in immune complex and complement-mediated glomerulonephritis, respectively.

Introduction: In rare instances, amyloidosis presents as a focal, macroscopic lesion involving peripheral neural tissues (amyloidoma). In all known reported cases, peripheral nerve amyloidomas have had immunoglobulin light-chain fibril composition and occurred in the context of paraproteinemia., Methods: A 46-year-old man presented with progressive insidious-onset right lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy without paraproteinemia. MRI-targeted fascicular nerve biopsy was performed on an enlarged sciatic nerve after earlier distal fibular nerve biopsy was nondiagnostic. Laser dissected mass spectroscopy of the discovered amyloid protein was performed after immunohistochemistry failed to identify the specific amyloid protein. Complete gene sequencing of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) was performed., Results: Only wild-type ApoA1 amyloid was found in the congophilic component in the nerve., Conclusions: This case highlights the utility of MRI-guided fascicular nerve biopsy combined with laser-dissected mass spectrometric analysis. Importantly, the case expands the known causes of amyloidomas to include wild-type ApoA1., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and Objectives: Amyloidosis is a group of disorders characterized by accumulation of extracellular deposition of proteins as insoluble aggregates. The clinical management of amyloidosis is based on identifying the underlying etiology and accurate typing of the amyloid. Ig heavy chain amyloid involving the kidney is poorly recognized and often poses a diagnostic dilemma. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASURES: In this study, we describe the use of laser microdissection (LMD) and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis for the accurate typing of 14 cases of amyloidosis. We also describe the clinicopathologic findings of four problematic cases of renal Ig heavy chain amyloidosis that required LMD/MS proteomic analysis for accurate typing of the amyloid., Results: LMD/MS proteomic data of four cases of Ig heavy chain renal amyloidosis showed Ig heavy chains with or without light chains. The break up of the Ig heavy chains was as follows: one case showed Igγ1 chain constant region and λ light chains, one case showed Igα chain constant region and κ light chains variable and constant regions, whereas two cases showed Igγ3 chain constant region and heavy chains variable region I and/or III without light chains. We compare the LMD/MS proteomic data of Ig heavy chain renal amyloid with that of other types of amyloid, including Ig light chains, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen A-α chain renal amyloid, and transthyretin amyloid., Conclusions: We conclude that LMD/MS is a sensitive and specific tool for diagnosis and accurate typing of renal amyloidosis, including Ig heavy chain amyloid.

Objectives There is a paucity of data on penile amyloidosis. We aimed to assess the frequency of different amyloid types in surgical specimens from the penis involved by amyloidosis and correlate relevant clinicopathologic parameters with proteomic findings. Methods Since 2008, our reference laboratory has performed liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for amyloid typing. The institutional pathology archive and reference laboratory database were queried to retrospectively identify all penile surgical pathology specimens with LC-MS/MS results between January 1, 2008, and November 23, 2022. Archived H&E-stained and Congo red–stained sections were re-reviewed. Results Twelve cases of penile amyloidosis were identified, which represented 0.35% (n = 3,456) of penile surgical specimens. AL-type amyloid was most frequent (n = 7), followed by keratin-type amyloid (n = 3) and ATTR (transthyretin)–type amyloid (n = 2). AL-type amyloid cases often showed diffuse dermal/lamina propria deposition, whereas all keratin-type amyloid cases were localized to the superficial dermis. Two cases with keratin-type amyloid had concomitant cutaneous findings (penile intraepithelial neoplasia and condyloma). Conclusions This series, the largest to date, demonstrates that penile amyloidosis has a heterogeneous proteomic landscape. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing ATTR (transthyretin)–type penile amyloid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report the clinicopathologic and proteomic characteristics of a novel form of amyloidosis derived from the precursor protein somatostatin. Cases were identified by searching the Mayo Clinic amyloid liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) typing database from 1 January 2008 to 1 September 2020 for specimens with the amyloid signature proteins and abundant somatostatin, in the absence of other amyloid precursor proteins. All available medical records and pathologic materials were examined. Somatostatin-derived amyloid deposits were found in four patients, two females and two males, with a median age of 61.5 years (range 47–73 years). One patient also had neurofibromatosis-1. The amyloid in each case was associated with a well-differentiated, somatostatin-producing neuroendocrine tumour arising in the small bowel or pancreas. The amyloid deposits were Congo Red-positive and were readily identified by LC- MS/MS analysis. Somatostatin was present exclusively in somatostatin-associated amyloid cases (p <.001), compared to small bowel and pancreas amyloidosis cases of other types. Long-term follow-up is available for one patient who is alive 6 years after initial presentation. We propose that somatostatin-related amyloidosis is a novel localised human amyloid type that arises in association with well-differentiated somatostatin-producing enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Treatment of the associated neuroendocrine tumour may be adequate therapy for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Complement activation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), although it remains unclear which pathway is activated. Whether pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (pauci-immune GN) with negative ANCA serology is part of the spectrum of AAV or a different disease entity is essentially unknown. Methods. We used proteomic analysis to delineate the complement profile in a series of 13 kidney biopsies of patients with pauci-immune GN, with either proteinase 3 (PR3) (five patients) or myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies (four patients) or with consistently negative ANCA serology (four patients). Immunofluorescence staining of glomeruli was essentially negative in the PR3-ANCA and MPO-ANCA groups, while a mild staining for C3 was seen in the ANCA-negative cases. No electron-dense deposits were found in the PR3-ANCA and MPO-ANCA groups, but mesangial and few subepithelial deposits were clearly present in the ANCA-negative specimens. Results. Mass spectrometry revealed low spectra numbers for C3 and immunoglobulins in both PR3-positive and MPOpositive patients with minimal or no C4 and C9. In contrast, larger spectra numbers for C3, moderate spectra numbers for C9, complement factor H-related protein-1 and low spectra numbers for C4, C5 and immunoglobulins were found in the ANCA-negative cases. Conclusion. While complement activation is noted in AAV, the complement activation appears to be more prominent in the ANCA-negative glomerulonephritis. The larger amount of C3 and moderate amount of C9 in the ANCA-negative glomerulonephritis implies activation of the alternate and terminal pathway of complement, suggesting that this entity may be caused or promoted by a genetic or acquired defect in the alternative pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Prognostication and treatment selection for cardiac amyloidosis requires accurate amyloid typing. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of histomorphology for predicting type. Methods and results Autopsy cases with cardiac amyloidosis (1998-2010) were typed by the use of mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Deposition patterns were correlated with amyloid type. Among 108 decedents (mean age 75 years; 69% men), 107 had a single type, including transthyretin (ATTR) (60 cases), amyloid light chain (AL) (32 λ; 12 κ), amyloid A (AA) (two), and apolipoprotein AIV (AApoAIV) (one). Interstitial deposition was more extensive in AL amyloidosis cases than in ATTR cases [odds ratio (OR) 6.8, P = 0.0004]. Histomorphological patterns of interstitial deposition were mixed in 61% of AL amyloidosis cases and in 61% of ATTR cases, but diffuse pericellular deposits favoured AL amyloidosis (OR 10.7, P = 0.0001), nodular deposits favoured ATTR (OR 3.1, P = 0.0229), and discrete pericellular deposits tended to partially favour ATTR (OR 1.7, P = 0.1970). Arterial and venous deposits each favoured AL amyloidosis (OR ranging from 9.3 to 192.0, P-value ranging from 0.0022 to <0.0001), and were severe in AL amyloidosis. Endocardial deposits favoured AL amyloidosis (OR 46.3, P < 0.0001) and were also more severe in AL amyloidosis. Conclusions The extent and distribution of cardiac amyloidosis strongly correlate with amyloid type, suggesting fundamental differences in the pathobiology of deposition. The tendency for mixed patterns to occur limits the practicality and accuracy of using histopathology for amyloid typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyloidosis is caused by deposition in tissues of abnormal protein in a characteristic fibrillar form. There are many types of amyloidosis, classified according to the soluble protein precursor from which the amyloid fibrils are derived. Accurate identification of amyloid type is critical in every case since therapy for systemic amyloidosis is type specific. In ~20--25% cases, however, immunohistochemistry (IHC) fails to prove the amyloid type and further tests are required. Laser microdissection and mass spectrometry (LDMS) is a powerful tool for identifying proteins from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. We undertook a blinded comparison of IHC, performed at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre, and LDMS, performed at the Mayo Clinic, in 142 consecutive biopsy specimens from 38 different tissue types. There was 100% concordance between positive IHC and LDMS, and the latter increased diagnostic accuracy from 76% to 94%. LDMS in expert hands is a valuable tool for amyloid diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein and peptide drugs administered subcutaneously, such as insulin can be amyloidogenic and result in localized amyloid deposits at the sites of medication injections. These iatrogenic amyloidoses typically present as a localized subcutaneous nodule or skin reaction at the site of administration, and often pose diagnostic challenges. We have analyzed the amyloid proteome in 52 cases of insulin and enfuvirtide associated amyloidosis using laser microdissection/tandem mass spectrometry. We show that the deposits are composed of the drug, as well as other amyloid precursor proteins such as apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV, E and serum amyloid protein. Mass spectrometry-based amyloid sub-typing allows for accurate amyloid diagnosis with resultant therapeutic and prognostic implications. This insight into the amyloid proteome in drug-induced amyloidosis may help further understand pathogenesis of amyloid fibril formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using laser microdissection and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, we subtyped amyloid deposits from 130 cases of hepatic amyloidosis. Although we confirmed that immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis was the most frequent cause of hepatic amyloidosis, leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) amyloidosis (ALect2) accounted for 25% of cases. This novel finding was associated with Hispanic ancestry, incidental discovery of amyloid in liver specimens sampled for other unrelated conditions, and a characteristic pattern of hepatic amyloid deposition. Although ALect2 patients had a common LECT2 polymorphism, pathogenic mutations were not discovered, suggesting that constitutive or compensatory LECT2 overexpression led to ALect2 deposition. These findings indicate that ALect2 is a common cause of hepatic amyloidosis in the population of the United States, and subtyping hepatic amyloid deposits by an accurate analytic method such as MS is required for optimal clinical management of hepatic amyloidosis patients and to avoid incorrect and unnecessarily toxic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some patients with immunoglobulin paraproteinemic neuropathy have intra-nerve deposits that morphologically mimick amyloid, but do no stain with Congo red. Patients with amyloid-like deposits were identified. The nerve amyloid-like aggregates were studied by laser microdissection and dual mass spectrometry. Three male patients, all with IgM gammopathy, and neuropathy were identified. Follow-up, disease duration was 5, 19, and 7 years, respectively. All had progressive asymmetric sensory-onset distal axonal polyneuropathy with late motor involvement. Autonomic symptoms occurred in only one after 13 years of symptoms. None had clinical cardio-renal involvement. One had skin papules with dermal amyloid-like deposits. Endoneurial amyloid-like deposits had granulo-fibrillar ultrastructure. Mass spectrometry of laser-dissected deposits identified IgM pentameric macroglobulin (heavy, light, and joining chains) without amyloid-associated proteins including absent apolipoprotein E and serum amyloid P-component. Amyloid-like neuropathy has distinct clinical, pathologic, and proteomic features which expand the spectrum of IgM neuropathies. Patients have favorable survival, relative absence of autonomic features, and distinct proteomic profiles of the infiltrative protein in nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 13-year-old Indian boy with nephrotic syndrome caused by renal AA amyloidosis. Workup of the AA amyloidosis revealed chronic hepatitis B. Laser microdissection of the Congo-red-positive glomeruli and vessels followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein and ruled out hereditary and familial amyloidosis. Furthermore, mass spectrometry also detected a variant of SAA protein (SAA W71R). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma cell dyscrasias can present as myeloma cast nephropathy, AL amyloid, or light chain deposition disease. We describe the unusual kidney biopsy findings of concurrent myeloma cast nephropathy and glomerular nonamyloid fibrillary deposits composed of immunoglobulin G (IgG) heavy chains and λ light chains in a patient with multiple myeloma who presented with acute renal failure. We performed laser microdissection and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis, which showed that the fibrillary deposits likely contained Igγ1 constant region and λ light chain constant region, whereas K light chains and serum amyloid P proteins were absent. Treatment of multiple myeloma resulted in resolution of the renal manifestations, suggesting a common underlying mechanism for the cast nephropathy and heavy and light chain deposition disease. We show that laser microdissection and mass spectrometry is an extremely useful ancillary test for the diagnosis of heavy and light chain deposition diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to investigate the frequency of use of light-chain variable region (IGVL) genes among patients with systemic (ALS) and localized (ALL) amyloidosis and to assess for associations between IGVL gene usage and organ tropism. We evaluated clinic charts from 821 AL patients seen at the Mayo Clinic who had bone marrow, fat pad, and solid organ tissue samples typed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We identified 701 patients with ALS and 120 with ALL. Overall, we were able to identify an IGVL gene in 87 (72%) patients with ALL and 573 (82%) patients with ALS. When compared with ALL, LV6-57 was more common, whereas KV3-20 and heavy-chain codeposition were less common in ALS. In this large series of ALS, characteristics particular to specific genotypes became apparent. LV6-57 patients were more likely to have renal involvement and to harbor a translocation 11;14. LV3-01 patients were less likely to have advanced cardiac disease and renal involvement. LV2-14 patients were more likely to have peripheral nerve involvement, an intact circulating immunoglobulin, and lower circulating dFLC. LV1-44 patients were more likely to have cardiac involvement. KV1-33 patients had more liver involvement and higher circulating dFLC. Finally, KV1-05 was associated with inferior overall survival but not independently of cardiac stage. IGVL gene usage appears to provide clues about disease pathophysiology and tissue tropism. LC-MS is a high-throughput and low-resource technique that can be used to identify IGVL gene from clinical tissue specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the rare entities of heavy- and light-chain amyloidosis (AHL) and heavy-chain amyloidosis (AH). Here, we report the renal and hematological characteristics, pathology, and outcome of 16 patients with renal AH/AHL (5 with AH and 11 with AHL) and compare them with 202 patients with renal light-chain amyloidosis (AL) diagnosed during the same time period. All cases were diagnosed by kidney biopsy that showed Congo red-positive deposits. Amyloid typing was done by laser microdissection and mass spectrometry (LMD/MS) on 12 patients or by immunofluorescence on four patients. All patients with renal AH/AHL were Caucasians, with a male/female ratio of 2.2 and a median age at biopsy of 63 years. Compared with patients with renal AL, those with renal AH/AHL had less frequent concurrent cardiac involvement, higher likelihood of having circulating complete monoclonal immunoglobulin, lower sensitivity of fat pad biopsy and bone marrow biopsy for detecting amyloid, higher incidence of hematuria, and better patient survival. The hematological response to chemotherapy was comparable with renal AL. In 42% of patients, AH/AHL could not have been diagnosed without LMD/MS. Thus, renal AH/AHL is an uncommon and underrecognized form of amyloidosis, and its diagnosis is greatly enhanced by the use of LMD/MS for amyloid typing. The accurate histological diagnosis of renal AH/AHL and distinction from AL may have important clinical and prognostic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) is a recently described disorder that typically results from abnormalities in the alternative pathway (AP) of complement. Here, we describe the clinical features, kidney biopsy findings, AP abnormalities, glomerular proteomic profile, and follow-up in 12 cases of C3GN. This disorder equally affected all ages, both genders, and typically presented with hematuria and proteinuria. In both the short and long term, renal function remained stable in the majority of patients with native kidney disease. In two patients, C3GN recurred within 1 year of transplantation and resulted in a decline in allograft function. Kidney biopsy mainly showed a membranoproliferative pattern, although both mesangial proliferative and diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis were noted. AP abnormalities were heterogeneous, both acquired and genetic. The most common acquired abnormality was the presence of C3 nephritic factors, while the most common genetic finding was the presence of H402 and V62 alleles of Factor H. In addition to these risk factors, other abnormalities included Factor H autoantibodies and mutations in CFH, CFI, and CFHR genes. Laser dissection and mass spectrometry of glomeruli from patients with C3GN showed accumulation of AP and terminal complement complex proteins. Thus, C3GN results from diverse abnormalities of the alternative complement pathway leading to subsequent glomerular injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]