PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Aaron B Kantor

Publications and source records attributed to Aaron B Kantor.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Comprehensive phenotyping in multiple sclerosis: discovery based proteomics and the current understanding of putative biomarkers.

Currently, there is no single test for multiple sclerosis (MS). Diagnosis is confirmed through clinical evaluation, abnormalities revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chemistry. The early and accurate diagnosis of the disease, monitoring of progression, and gauging of therapeutic intervention are important but elusive elements of patient care. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the disease pathology is needed, including discovery of accurate biomarkers for MS. Herein we review putative biomarkers of MS relating to neurodegeneration and contributions to neuropathology, with particular focus on autoimmunity. In addition, novel assessments of biomarkers not driven by hypotheses are discussed, featuring our application of advanced proteomics and metabolomics for comprehensive phenotyping of CSF and blood. This strategy allows comparison of component expression levels in CSF and serum between MS and control groups. Examination of these preliminary data suggests that several CSF proteins in MS are differentially expressed, and thus, represent putative biomarkers deserving of further evaluation.

Autoantibodies↗

Biomarker discovery by comprehensive phenotyping for autoimmune diseases.

There is a well-recognized but unmet need for biological markers to characterize disease type, status, progression, and response to therapy in autoimmune diseases. We are developing and applying an integrated bioanalytical platform and clinical research program to facilitate comprehensive differential phenotyping of patient samples and enable the discovery of biomarkers. Our measurement platform includes microvolume laser scanning cytometry for the quantification of hundreds of cellular parameters in whole blood and other samples, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the quantification of proteins and low molecular weight biomolecules in serum and other fluids or tissues, and specific immunoassays for the quantification of trace proteins in serum. We describe the technologies and discuss initial applications to the analysis of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Immune systems biology: immunoprofiling of cells and molecules.

White blood cells and their secreted products are key elements of immune systems biology that are important indicators of patient health and disease. We have developed the SurroScan microvolume laser scanning cytometer to immunoprofile hundreds of variables, including cell populations, cell surface antigens, and intracellular molecules in antibody-based assays on small samples (about 1 mL) of whole blood, processed blood, or other fluids without cell purification or washing steps. The system enables high-throughput, robust and automated data capture and analysis. We demonstrate the utility of this immunoprofiling technology platform by surveying patient samples before and after glucocorticosteroid administration and show both the expected and novel response characteristics. This system complements recent advances in genomic and proteomic approaches to disease prediction and monitoring.

Equipment Design↗

Comprehensive phenotyping and biological marker discovery.

There is an enormous unmet need for biological markers to characterize disease type, status, progression, and response to therapy. We are developing and applying an integrated bioanalytical platform and clinical research program to facilitate comprehensive differential phenotyping of patient samples and enable the discovery of biomarkers. The platform employs high-throughput, quantitative analysis for the characterization of thousands of parameters including cell populations, cell-surface antigen density, soluble proteins and soluble low molecular weight biomolecules, from small-volume biological samples in a clinical research laboratory-like setting.

Biomarkers↗