Two-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis of Human Serum: A Case Report of Suspected Chemical Agent Exposure

摘要

Serum was obtained from a patient who was suspected of having been exposed to mustard agent, Cl(CH2)2S(CH2)2Cl. Samples were collected approximately 30 days after the incident and were subjected to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Serum proteins thus separated were then stained consecutively with Coomassie blue and silver. Compared to a sample of normal serum, no fewer than 5 of the patient's serum proteins displayed differences in isoelectric point as determined by the isoelectric focusing step. Most of these modifications were manifested as basic shifts. These shifts could possibly be attributed to mustard agent exposure since, among its many other effects, mustard agent is expected to esterify aspartic acid and glutamic acid residues. The differences seen between the patient's serum and the normal volunteer's, however, could have arisen due to numerous other factors. Thus, without knowing in advance what mustard agent does to human serum proteins, the results do not prove that the patient was exposed to mustard agent. This case highlights the need for us to define the effects of mustard and other chemical agents on serum proteins so as to develop a diagnostic tool for firmly establishing whether or not a given casualty has been exposed to a chemical agent such as mustard.