Plasma proteomics analysis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients revealed by Quadrupole‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry

Abstract Objective We aim to investigate the changes of plasma proteome among mild, severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and healthy controls. Methods In this retrospective study, there were 84 individuals including 56 confirmed AIS patients (27 follow‐up AIS patients and 29 surgical AIS patients) and another 28 healthy teenagers. Plasma samples were obtained and Quadrupole‐Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer was performed to identify proteins in AIS patients and control group. T ‐test and ANOVA were performed to screen for differential proteins. GO and KEGG pathway, Pearson's correlation analysis and PLS model were applied to identify enriched proteins, investigate correlation between proteins and Cobb angles. ELISA was performed to further verify the quantitative proteomics results. Results A total of 349 proteins were identified, among which 55 protein levels changed significantly in AIS group, compared with control group. Post hoc test indicated 36 proteins were significantly different between surgical and control group, 35 proteins between follow‐up and control group. Fibronectin, fibrinogen and calmodulin were statistically different among three groups through mass spectrometry and were positively correlated with the Cobb angle. Conclusions We performed the proteomic study and revealed that fibronectin, fibrinogen and calmodulin might not only be considered as biomarkers for AIS but could be correlated with curve severity.