Characterization of discriminatory urinary proteomic biomarkers for severe preeclampsia using SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Low Molecular Weight Protein Enrichment on Mesoporous Silica Thin Films for Biomarker Discovery
Published on: April 17, 2012
Seung Mi Lee1, Joong Shin Park, Errol R Norwitz
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
To analyze the proteomic pattern in urine for distinguishing severe preeclampsia from mild preeclampsia and normotensive controls using surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS).
Study Design:
Urine samples were collected from women with severe preeclampsia (n=11 [sPE]), mild preeclampsia (n=7 [mPE]), and normotensive controls (n=8) and analyzed by SELDI-TOF-MS to identify discriminatory protein peaks in the sPE cohort. A scoring system was constructed--designated as Preeclampsia Proteomic Score of Urine (PPSU)--to differentiate sPE from mPE and normotensive controls.
Results:
Four discriminatory protein peaks were identified (m/z ratio: 4155, 6044, 6663, and 7971), all of which were down-regulated in women with sPE. PPSU scores in women with sPE were significantly lower than that in both mPE and controls (sPE 0 [0-4] vs. mPE 3 [0-4] vs. controls 4 [2-4]; median [range]; P<0.05). PPSU<2 had a sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 93.3% in discriminating patients with sPE from mPE and controls.
Conclusion:
Proteomic analysis of urine can accurately distinguish sPE from mPE and normotensive controls.
