Proteomics testing for sensitization potency using the sensiderm™TMT-SRM 10-Plex assay

Abstract

Along with the rise in the use chemical allergens in in fragrances and cosmetic products, increased reporting of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) continues to be a public health concern. So far, risk assessment of potential allergens essentially relies upon animal testing. New proteomics technologies combined with appropriate cell culture models and bioinformatics tools open up the window to transfer logical pathway information into biomarker assays. Sensiderm™ TMT-SRM 10-plex is a multiparametric assay, which is based on the established principles of selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry. The assay uses the human dendritic model MUTZ-3 exposed to chemical sensitizers to measure a response signature of ten proteins. In a model-building phase, the ten protein targets were initially discovered using a set of chemical sensitizers provided by the European Integrated Project Sens-it-iv. Currently, the Sensiderm assay has been pre-validated in two analytical laboratories, and a set of testing chemicals has been investigated in both non-blinded and blinded manner. In summary, the Sensiderm 10-plex assay reflects the activation of different sensitization-related pathways. A proper interpretation of this information may be integrated in decision-making processes of suspicious chemicals.