The Circulating Proteome─Technological Developments, Current Challenges, and Future Trends

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Proteomics

Background:

• Proteomics technologies have advanced significantly, enabling deeper characterization of human biology.
• Blood is a key biological fluid for understanding human health due to its accessibility.
• Innovations in proteomics necessitate re-evaluation of existing methods to maximize data value and avoid past mistakes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a 2024 survey of progress in the human plasma proteome research community.
• To highlight the latest Human Plasma Proteome PeptideAtlas build.
• To discuss emerging technologies and applications in circulating proteome studies.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent improvements in proteomics technologies.
• Analysis of data from the Human Plasma Proteome PeptideAtlas.
• Discussion of emerging research areas including proteoforms, protein networks, extracellular vesicles, and circulating antibodies.

Main Results:

• The Human Plasma Proteome PeptideAtlas now includes 4608 proteins from 113 datasets.
• Significant progress has been made in established and emerging proteomics methods.
• Investigations into proteoforms, protein networks, extracellular vesicles, and circulating antibodies are expanding.

Conclusions:

• Current and emerging proteomics tools hold great promise for advancing studies of the circulating proteome.
• Continuous reassessment of methodologies is crucial for adding value to biomedical research.
• The field is rapidly evolving, offering new avenues for understanding human health through blood-based proteomics.