Visualization of phosphatidylcholine (16:0/16:0) in type II alveolar epithelial cells in the human lung using imaging mass spectrometry. (20th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kurabe, Nobuya; Hayasaka, Takahiro; Igarashi, Hisaki; Mori, Hiroki; Sekihara, Keigo; Tao, Hong; Yamada, Hidetaka; Kahyo, Tomoaki; Onishi, Ippei; Tsukui, Hiroe; Kawase, Akikazu; Matsuura, Shun; Inoue, Yusuke; Shinmura, Kazuya; Funai, Kazuhito; Setou, Mitsutoshi; Sugimura, Haruhiko
• Is Part Of: Pathology international. Volume 63:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2013-05-20
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1111/pin.12050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1320-5463

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Imaging mass spectrometry (MS) is an emerging technique that can detect numerous biomolecular distributions in a non‐targeting manner. In the present study, we applied a mass imaging modality, mass microscopy, to human lung tissue and identified several molecules including surfactant constituents in a specific structure of the lung alveoli. Four peaks were identified using imaging MS, and the ion at <italic>m/z</italic> 772.5, in particular, was localized at some spots in the alveolar walls. Using an MS/MS analysis, the ion was identified as phosphatidylcholine (PC)(16:0/16:0), which is the main component of lung surfactant. In a larger magnification of the lung specimen, PC (16:0/16:0) was distributed in a mottled fashion in a section of the lung. Importantly, the distribution of PC (16:0/16:0) was identical to that of anti‐SLC34A2 antibody immunoreactivity, which is known to be a specific marker of type II alveolar epithelial cells, in the same section. Our experience suggests that imaging MS has excellent potential in human pathology research.</p> </abstract>