Mass spectrometry imaging for drug distribution studies

Since its introduction mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has proven to be a powerful tool for the localization of molecules in biological tissues. In drug discovery and development, understanding the distribution of both drug and its metabolites is of critical importance. Traditional methods suffer from a lack of spatial information (tissue extraction followed by LCMS) or lack of specificity resulting in the inability to resolve parent drug from its metabolites (whole body autoradiography). MSI is a sensitive and label-free approach for imaging drugs and metabolites in tissues. In this article we review the different MSI technologies that have been applied to the imaging of pharmaceuticals. Recent technical advances, applications and current analytical limitations are discussed.     

In situ metabolomic mass spectrometry imaging: recent advances and difficulties

MS imaging (MSI) is a remarkable new technology that enables us to determine the distribution of biological molecules present in tissue sections by direct ionization and detection. This technique is now widely used for in situ imaging of endogenous or exogenous molecules such as proteins, lipids, drugs and their metabolites, and it is a potential tool for pathological analysis and the investigation of disease mechanisms. MSI is also thought to be a technique that could be used for biomarker discovery with spatial information. The application of MSI to the study of endogenous metabolites has received considerable attention because metabolites are the result of the interactions of a system's genome with its environment and a total set of these metabolites more closely represents the phenotype of an organism under a given set of conditions. Recent studies have suggested the importance of in situ metabolite imaging in biological discovery and biomedical applications, but several issues regarding the technical application limits of MSI still remained to be resolved. In this review, we describe the capabilities of the latest MSI techniques for the imaging of endogenous metabolites in biological samples, and also discuss the technical problems and new challenges that need to be addressed for effective and widespread application of MSI in both preclinical and clinical settings.     

多光谱成像技术在植物学研究中的应用

多光谱成像(MSI)技术是一种新兴的成像检测技术, 通过将光谱与成像合二为一, 可实现植物结构、生理、生化表型的定性定量分析及其特征分布的评估。近年来, 与数学建模分析结合的MSI技术具有强大的信息捕获能力, 在植物学研究中展现出强劲的应用潜力。该文介绍了MSI技术的成像原理, 总结了近年来MSI技术在植物损伤鉴定、病害研究、代谢物质生化特征及生理进程鉴定方面的应用, 展望了该技术在植物研究领域的前沿性发展, 以期使MSI技术在植物研究中得到更好的应用。     

空间分辨代谢组学进展和挑战

空间分辨代谢组学即整合质谱成像和代谢组学技术,对动/植物组织和细胞中内/外源性代谢物的种类、含量和差异性空间分布进行精准测定。质谱成像技术因其具有无标记、非特异、高灵敏度、高化学覆盖、元素/分子同时检测等优势,被广泛应用于动/植物组织中各类代谢物、多肽和蛋白的时空分布研究。首先介绍了代谢组学和质谱成像技术的研究现状,然后重点综述了空间分辨代谢组学在动物组织、植物组织和单细胞水平上的前沿应用。最后展望了空间分辨代谢组学技术的现有瓶颈和未来发展方向。空间分辨代谢组学是继代谢组学之后又一门新兴的分子成像组学技术,能够无标记、可视化检测动物组织中外源性药物的吸收、分布、代谢和排泄,以及植物组织中多种代谢产物的生物合成、转运途径和积累规律。该技术将推动靶向药物发现、病理机制解析和动植物生长发育密切关联的空间代谢网络调控等前沿应用研究。     

Qualitative and quantitative mass spectrometry imaging of drugs and metabolites in tissue at therapeutic levels

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly evolving technology that yields qualitative and quantitative distribution maps of small pharmaceutical-active molecules and their metabolites in tissue sections in situ. The simplicity, high sensitivity and ability to provide comprehensive spatial distribution maps of different classes of biomolecules make MSI a valuable tool to complement histopathology for diagnostics and biomarker discovery. In this review, qualitative and quantitative MSI of drugs and metabolites in tissue at therapeutic levels are discussed and the impact of this technique in drug discovery and clinical research is highlighted.     

大气CO2浓度升高对植物、植食性昆虫及其天敌的影响研究进展

自世界工业革命以来,化石燃料的大量使用以及人类对自然环境的过度破坏,致使大气CO₂浓度不断升高.研究大气CO₂浓度升高介导的农业生态系统内植物、植食性昆虫及其天敌的适应机制,对于阐明气候变化下农业害虫爆发危害规律,指导防控与减排具有重要意义.本文综述了大气CO₂浓度升高对农业生态系统中植物、植食性昆虫及天敌的影响,主要包括：1)相关研究方法的改进;2)大气CO₂浓度升高介导的寄主植物营养和次生代谢物质的变化;3)大气CO₂浓度升高对以植物为食的昆虫的个体生长发育、种群数量、行为的影响;4)天敌昆虫的生物学及捕食量与寄生率变化.最后对今后的研究方向进行了展望.     

Organic washes of tissue sections for comprehensive analysis of small molecule metabolites by MALDI MS imaging of rat brain following status epilepticus

Introduction

In-situ detection and in particular comprehensive analysis of small molecule metabolites (SMMs, m/z?<?500) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) remain a challenge, mainly due to ion suppression effects from more abundant molecules in tissue section like lipids.

Objective

A strategy based on organic washes to remove most ionization-suppressing lipids from tissue section was firstly explored for improved analysis of SMMs by MALDI MSI.

Methods

The tissue sections after rinse with different organic solvents were analyzed by MALDI MSI, and the results were compared for the optimized washing conditions.

Results

The rinse with chloroform for 15 s at ??20 °C significantly removed most glycerophospholipids and glycerolipids from tissue section. Consequentially, ATP-related energy metabolites, amino acids and derivatives, glucose derivatives, glycolysis pathway metabolites and other SMMs were able to be well-visualized with enhanced ion intensity and good reproducibility. The organic washes-based MALDI MSI was applied to the metabolic pathway analysis in rat brain following status epilepticus (SE) model, which was, as far as we know, the first report about in-situ detection of a broad range of metabolites in the model of SE by MALDI MSI technique. The alterations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP), inosine, glutamine, glutathione, taurine and spermine during SE were observed.

Conclusion

A simple organic washing protocol enables comprehensive analysis of tissue SMMs in MALDI MSI by removing ionization-suppressing lipids. The application in the SE model indicates that MALDI MSI analysis potentially provides new insight for understanding the disease mechanism.

     

MALDI-Mass Spectrometric Imaging for the Investigation of Metabolites in Medicago truncatula Root Nodules

Most techniques used to study small molecules, such as pharmaceutical drugs or endogenous metabolites, employ tissue extracts which require the homogenization of the tissue of interest that could potentially cause changes in the metabolic pathways being studied¹. Mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) is a powerful analytical tool that can provide spatial information of analytes within intact slices of biological tissue samples^1-5. This technique has been used extensively to study various types of compounds including proteins, peptides, lipids, and small molecules such as endogenous metabolites. With matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI, spatial distributions of multiple metabolites can be simultaneously detected. Herein, a method developed specifically for conducting untargeted metabolomics MSI experiments on legume roots and root nodules is presented which could reveal insights into the biological processes taking place. The method presented here shows a typical MSI workflow, from sample preparation to image acquisition, and focuses on the matrix application step, demonstrating several matrix application techniques that are useful for detecting small molecules. Once the MS images are generated, the analysis and identification of metabolites of interest is discussed and demonstrated. The standard workflow presented here can be easily modified for different tissue types, molecular species, and instrumentation.     

外源抗虫蛋白与内源抗虫因子的交互作用

以次生代谢物质萜烯类、黄酮类以及单宁等为基础的自身化学抗虫性一直是植物化学防御的核心。随着基因重组技术的发展,许多作物获得了一种新的化学防御形式,即以表达外源基因产物来进行防御。外源抗虫蛋白与内源抗虫物质的协调性问题,在利用外源基因工程改良植物抗虫性时是非常重要的,同时也是转基因作物安全性和生态学评价的重要方面。转基因植物中外源与内源抗虫系统间的协调性的研究取得了一些成果,但尚未引起人们足够的重视。综述了离体条件下和在转基因植物体内,外源抗虫蛋白Bt和GNA等与植物次生代谢物质以及各抗虫蛋白之间交互作用的研究进展,并探讨了研究各抗虫因子交互作用的意义。     

外源抗虫蛋白与内源抗虫因子的交互作用

以次生代谢物质萜烯类、黄酮类以及单宁等为基础的自身化学抗虫性一直是植物化学防御的核心.随着基因重组技术的发展,许多作物获得了一种新的化学防御形式,即以表达外源基因产物来进行防御.外源抗虫蛋白与内源抗虫物质的协调性问题,在利用外源基因工程改良植物抗虫性时是非常重要的,同时也是转基因作物安全性和生态学评价的重要方面.转基因植物中外源与内源抗虫系统间的协调性的研究取得了一些成果,但尚未引起人们足够的重视.综述了离体条件下和在转基因植物体内,外源抗虫蛋白Bt和GNA等与植物次生代谢物质以及各抗虫蛋白之间交互作用的研究进展,并探讨了研究各抗虫因子交互作用的意义.     

大气CO2浓度升高对植物、植食性昆虫及其天敌的影响研究进展

自世界工业革命以来,化石燃料的大量使用以及人类对自然环境的过度破坏,致使大气CO₂浓度不断升高.研究大气CO₂浓度升高介导的农业生态系统内植物、植食性昆虫及其天敌的适应机制,对于阐明气候变化下农业害虫爆发危害规律,指导防控与减排具有重要意义.本文综述了大气CO₂浓度升高对农业生态系统中植物、植食性昆虫及天敌的影响,主要包括：1)相关研究方法的改进;2)大气CO₂浓度升高介导的寄主植物营养和次生代谢物质的变化;3)大气CO₂浓度升高对以植物为食的昆虫的个体生长发育、种群数量、行为的影响;4)天敌昆虫的生物学及捕食量与寄生率变化.最后对今后的研究方向进行了展望.     

培菌昆虫相关放线菌的次级代谢产物研究进展

昆虫共生微生物是一种特殊的微生物资源,其中放线菌在昆虫肠道、体表和巢穴中广泛分布。近年来,人们从培菌昆虫来源的放线菌中分离得到多种新型化合物,可以选择性抑制菌圃的致病真菌,部分还对植物致病真菌、昆虫致病真菌、人类病原菌和癌细胞有抑制活性。因此,研究培菌昆虫相关微生物不仅有助于了解宿主与微生物的共生机制,还能发掘新的活性物质,用于生物农药、生物医药的开发。本文对培菌昆虫来源放线菌次级代谢产物的研究进展进行了综述。     

MALDI-imaging mass spectrometry - An emerging technique in plant biology

Recent advances in instrumentation and sample preparation have facilitated the mass spectrometric (MS) imaging of a large variety of biological molecules from small metabolites to large proteins. The technique can be applied at both the tissue and the single-cell level, and provides information regarding the spatial distribution of specific molecules. Nevertheless, the use of MS imaging in plant science remains far from routine, and there is still a need to adapt protocols to suit specific tissues. We present an overview of MALDI-imaging MS (MSI) technology and its use for the analysis of plant tissue. Recent methodological developments have been summarized, and the major challenges involved in using MALDI-MSI, including sample preparation, the analysis of metabolites and peptides, and strategies for data evaluation are all discussed. Some attention is given to the identification of differentially distributed compounds. To date, the use of MALDI-MSI in plant research has been limited. Examples include leaf surface metabolite maps, the characterization of soluble metabolite translocation in planta, and the profiling of protein/metabolite patterns in cereal grain cross-sections. Improvements to both sample preparation strategies and analytical platforms (aimed at both spectrum acquisition and post-acquisition analysis) will enhance the relevance of MALDI-MSI technology in plant research.     

Molecular histology of arteries: mass spectrometry imaging as a novel ex vivo tool to investigate atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is usually the underlying cause of a fatal event such as myocardial infarction or ictus. The atherome plaque develops silently and asymptomatically within the arterial intima layer. In this context, the possibility to analyze the molecular content of arterial tissue while preserving each molecule’s specific localization is of great interest as it may reveal further insights into the physiopathological changes taking place. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enables the spatially resolved molecular analysis of proteins, peptides, metabolites, lipids and drugs directly in tissue, with a resolution sufficient to reveal molecular features specific to distinct arterial structures. MSI represents a novel ex vivo imaging tool still underexplored in cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on the MSI technique applied to cardiovascular disease and covers the main contributions to date, ongoing efforts, the main challenges and current limitations of MSI.     

多组学分析在昆虫滞育中的应用

组学技术将生物的相关问题分别展现在基因、蛋白质和代谢物等不同层次水平上,已成为解读生命过程的重要工具。本文分别从转录组学、蛋白质组学、代谢组学以及组学间的联合应用等方面概括总结了组学技术在昆虫滞育研究中的应用情况,阐述了以转录组学、蛋白质组学和代谢组学为代表的多组学技术在昆虫滞育调控分子机制中取得的重要成果,并针对当前研究现状,对昆虫滞育中组学技术应用的前景和局限性进行了总结和展望,以期为昆虫滞育调控分子机制的研究提供参考依据。     

人工培养柞蚕蝉花不同部位的代谢组差异

【背景】蝉花是传统中药材,前期研究发现柞蚕培养蝉花与野生蝉花成分类似,因此有替代野生蝉花利用的潜力。【目的】揭示柞蚕培养蝉花各部分的代谢组差异,为合理利用人工培养柞蚕蝉花提供理论依据。【方法】用基于HPLC-DAD-TOF/MS代谢组学方法,比较人工培养柞蚕蝉花的虫体、体表菌丝和孢梗束的代谢组差异。【结果】人工培养柞蚕蝉花不同部位代谢组差异显著。蝉花虫体内虽然充满菌丝(菌核),但次生代谢产物并不多,仅二氢神经酰胺和植物鞘胺醇等少数化合物较其他部位多,表明虫体内物质以大分子储藏物质为主。虫体内的植物鞘胺醇含量较高,与蝉棒束孢受柞蚕蛹的免疫损伤有关。虫体表面菌丝中被检测到大量次生代谢产物,这可能是因为虫体内分解的营养成分会优先被菌丝吸收。孢梗束的次生代谢产物相对较少。【结论】柞蚕蝉花不同部位的代谢物显著不同,其虫体表面菌丝次生代谢产物较多,具有较大的代谢物利用潜力。     

Matrix‐free UV‐laser desorption/ionization (LDI) mass spectrometric imaging at the single‐cell level: distribution of secondary metabolites of Arabidopsis thaliana and Hypericum species

The present paper describes matrix‐free laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometric imaging (LDI‐MSI) of highly localized UV‐absorbing secondary metabolites in plant tissues at single‐cell resolution. The scope and limitations of the method are discussed with regard to plants of the genus Hypericum. Naphthodianthrones such as hypericin and pseudohypericin are traceable in dark glands on Hypericum leaves, placenta, stamens and styli; biflavonoids are also traceable in the pollen of this important phytomedical plant. The highest spatial resolution achieved, 10 μm, was much higher than that achieved by commonly used matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging protocols. The data from imaging experiments were supported by independent LDI‐TOF/MS analysis of cryo‐sectioned, laser‐microdissected and freshly cut plant material. The results confirmed the suitability of combining laser microdissection (LMD) and LDI‐TOF/MS or LDI‐MSI to analyse localized plant secondary metabolites. Furthermore, Arabidopsis thaliana was analysed to demonstrate the feasibility of LDI‐MSI for other commonly occurring compounds such as flavonoids. The organ‐specific distribution of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin, and their glycosides, was imaged at the cellular level.     

Quality control for plant metabolomics: reporting MSI-compliant studies

The Metabolomics Standards Initiative (MSI) has recently released documents describing minimum parameters for reporting metabolomics experiments, in order to validate metabolomic studies and to facilitate data exchange. The reporting parameters encompassed by MSI include the biological study design, sample preparation, data acquisition, data processing, data analysis and interpretation relative to the biological hypotheses being evaluated. Herein we exemplify how such metadata can be reported by using a small case study – the metabolite profiling by GC-TOF mass spectrometry of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves from a knockout allele of the gene At1g08510 in the Wassilewskija ecotype. Pitfalls in quality control are highlighted that can invalidate results even if MSI reporting standards are fulfilled, including reliable compound identification and integration of unknown metabolites. Standardized data processing methods are proposed for consistent data storage and dissemination via databases.     

MS imaging of multicellular tumor spheroids and organoids as an emerging tool for personalized medicine and drug discovery

MS imaging (MSI) is a powerful tool in drug discovery because of its ability to interrogate a wide range of endogenous and exogenous molecules in a broad variety of samples. The impressive versatility of the approach, where almost any ionizable biomolecule can be analyzed, including peptides, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, has been applied to numerous types of complex biological samples. While originally demonstrated with harvested organs from animal models and biopsies from humans, these models are time consuming and expensive, which makes it necessary to extend the approach to 3D cell culture systems. These systems, which include spheroid models, prepared from immortalized cell lines, and organoid cultures, grown from patient biopsies, can provide insight on the intersection of molecular information on a spatial scale. In particular, the investigation of drug compounds, their metabolism, and the subsequent distribution of their metabolites in 3D cell culture systems by MSI has been a promising area of study. This review summarizes the different ionization methods, sample preparation steps, and data analysis methods of MSI and focuses on several of the latest applications of MALDI-MSI for drug studies in spheroids and organoids. Finally, the application of this approach in patient-derived organoids to evaluate personalized medicine options is discussed.     

Integrated MALDI-MS imaging and LC–MS techniques for visualizing spatiotemporal metabolomic dynamics in a rat stroke model

Spatiotemporal information about biomolecules is indispensable for precise pathological analysis, but it remains largely unclear. Here we show a novel analytical platform combing mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) with its complementary technique, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), to elucidate more comprehensive metabolic behaviors, with spatiotemporal information, in tissues. Analysis of a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) brain tissue after ischemia–reperfusion was performed to characterize the detailed metabolomic response to pathological alterations. To compare the spatially resolved metabolic state between ischemic and contralateral hemispheres of the MCAO brain, coronally sliced tissues were subjected to MSI. We also measured the metabolites extracted from three different cerebral regions, including whole cortex (CTX), hippocampus (HI) and corpus striatum (CPu), by LC–MS. In the ischemic hemisphere, significant metabolic changes at the CTX and CPu were observed after reperfusion, while not at the HI. A region-specific metabolic behavior was observed in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, as well as in the TCA cycle. Correlation between MSI and LC–MS data was relatively high in the CTX and CPu. Combination of both MS platforms visualized the diverse spatiotemporal metabolic dynamics during pathological progress. Thus, our proposed strategy will contribute to the understanding of the complex pathogenesis of ischemia–reperfusion.