Accurate quantitative analysis of cellular proteins using a computerised scanning-aided dot blot technique

The aim of this study was to use a dot blot technique (DB) aided by a computerised scanning programme (CSDBT) to assess expression of cellular proteins in various tumour cell lines. Two groups of proteins, i.e. major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I and cell adhesion molecules (e.g. ICAM-1) were investigated. The constitutive expression of Class I antigens was measured and found to vary for different tumour lines. Exposure of SKV14 (SV40 transformed epithelial cells) and 5637 lines (bladder) to interferons (IFN) alpha or gamma resulted in upregulation of Class I antigens. IFN gamma, but not IFN alpha, induced ICAM-1 on all the lines studied. Thus, the stimulatory indices (SI) for Class I antigens in the case of SKV14, J82 (bladder) and 5637 lines after IFN gamma and IFN alpha stimulation were 2.02, 1.77, 4.68 and 1.65, 1.36, 2.08 respectively. The corresponding values for ICAM-1 were 1.65, 1.87, 3.43 and 1.75, 1.0, 0.96. In all the cases, the P values (using a paired t-test), except ICAM-1 for IFN alpha-stimulated J82 cells, were below 0.05. Following exposure of cells to combinations of drugs and IFN alpha, the percentage inhibition for Class I and ICAM-1 in the case of SKV14 and 5367 lines in the presence of cycloheximide (10 micrograms/mL) were 82%, 85% and 57%, 45% respectively. The corresponding values for indomethacin (10 micrograms/mL) were -23%, -52% and -20%, -24%. In all cases, the P values (using a paired t-test) were below 0.05. To our knowledge this is the first report describing a computerised scanning programme for assessing the presence of cellular proteins. The results were consistent with those obtained by radiobinding and immunocytochemistry. This simple and sensitive approach highlighted two important issues: (a) that it can be used to detect minor changes, under various conditions, of cellular proteins whether cytoplasmic or otherwise; and (b) that the accuracy of the measurements was enhanced by the use of computer scanning.