A selective and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method coupled with an efficient solid phase extraction on a mixed-mode cation-exchange (MCX) 96-well microplate was developed for the measurement of free 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in human urine with high throughput, which is suitable for clinical applications.
Free 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) has been extensively used as a possible biomarker for oxidative stress. Increased levels of 3-NT have been reported in a wide variety of pathological conditions. However, existing methods lack the sufficient sensitivity and/or specificity necessary to measure the low endogenous level of 3-NT reliably and are too cumbersome for clinical applications. Hence, analytical improvement is urgently needed to accurately quantify the levels of 3-NT and verify the role of 3-NT in pathological conditions. This protocol presents the development of a novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection combined with a miniaturized solid phase extraction (SPE) for the rapid and accurate measurement of 3-NT in human urine as a non-invasive biomarker for oxidative stress. SPE using a 96-well plate markedly simplified the process by combining sample cleanup and analyte enrichment without tedious derivatization and evaporation steps, reducing solvent consumption, waste disposal, risk of contamination and overall processing time. The employment of 25 mM ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) at pH 9 as the SPE elution solution substantially enhanced the selectivity. Mass spectrometry signal response was improved through adjustment of the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions. Use of 0.01% HCOOH as additive on a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column (150 mm x 2.1 mm, 3 µm) improved signal response another 2.5-fold and shortened the overall run time to 7 min. A lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 10 pg/mL (0.044 nM) was achieved, representing a significant sensitivity improvement over the reported assays. This simplified, rapid, selective and sensitive method allows two plates of urine samples (n = 192) to be processed in a 24 h time-period. Considering the markedly improved analytical performance, and non-invasive and inexpensive urine sampling, the proposed assay is beneficial for pre-clinical and clinical studies.
The effects of oxidative stress on clinical presentation have been thrust into the forefront in recent years1. One of the biomarkers being explored is 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), an end stable product formed when reactive nitrogen species (RNS) interact with tyrosine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter precursor. While 3-NT may have clinical value as a biomarker for RNS in vivo, the substantial changes of the properties and functions of tyrosine may adversely affect corresponding proteins and cellular functions1,2. Emerging research has suggested that 3-NT may play an important role in inflammatory conditions3, neurodegenerative disorders4,5, cardiovascular disease6 and diabetes7 as well as conditions related to oxidative stress. However, these observations are based on results from methodologies lacking in sensitivity and/or selectivity8,9,10,11. The enormous 3-NT concentration ranges for the biological samples previously reported in the literature reveal that serious analytical problems are associated with these assays and technical improvement is needed to accurately quantify the levels of 3-NT and verify its role in the pathology of these conditions.
The quantitation of free 3-NT in biological matrices presents a special challenge to man and instrument8,9,10,11. First, the trace level of endogenous 3-NT demands an ultra-sensitive detection; second, the existence of numerous structurally similar analogues, especially tyrosine, which is present in vast excess, requires a high degree of selectivity; third, the artefactual formation of 3-NT by tyrosine nitration with ubiquitous nitrate and nitrite requires special consideration during sample preparation to avoid false overestimation of 3-NT.
Among a wide variety of methodologies employed to measure 3-NT, MS/MS has been considered the gold standard method due to its superior sensitivity and selectivity11,12,13,14. Gas chromatography (GC) coupled MS/MS offers the best sensitivity, however, the indispensable sample derivatization steps are too tedious and time-consuming to be efficient for clinical utility15,16. LC-MS/MS does not require complex sample derivatization, making it the more promising option. Nonetheless, there are several obstacles to overcome such as the sensitivity of LC-MS/MS methods reported in the literature needs to improve for the measurement of low abundant 3-NT7,17,18 and the relatively long turnaround time must be shortened for high-throughput applications12,13,17,19.
Additionally, when considering clinical applications, the biological matrix used plays a significant role. It should be easy and inexpensive to obtain and non-invasive if possible20,21,22. Plasma, the traditionally used sample in the literature, is not a clinically desirable matrix, so a methodology utilizing urine which is non-invasive and cost-effective, was sought.
Several attempts to develop reliable and specific LC-MS/MS methodologies have been made using urine9,10,11. However, they have all fallen short of being either selective, reliable or efficient enough for clinical use. The effectiveness of the predominant SPE using traditional reversed-phase cartridge (C18 type) as sample cleanup for the 3-NT analysis has been questioned and a sequential SPE of strong cation exchange (SCX) and reversed phase C18-OH has been proposed6,7,19. One recently developed LC-MS/MS method utilized a multi-step purification process of manual C18 SPE, preparative high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and online SPE for analysis of 3-NT23. Although this method was sensitive enough for clinical purposes, with an LLOQ of 0.041 nM, the cleanup process was intensive and tedious and required 3 mL of urine, limiting its feasibility for high-throughput. A molecularly imprinted polymer was employed as the SPE sorbent to improve the efficiency of the cleanup process14, but the resulting LLOQ (0.7 µg/mL) was not low enough for clinical specimens. Another method required two-dimensional (2D) LC-MS/MS and immunoaffinity chromatography for sample cleanup in order to achieve a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.022 nM24. While all these methods have made advancements in the assessment of 3-NT, none have achieved the sensitivity, reliability, and efficiency necessary for clinical applications.
In order to investigate the pathology of free 3-NT and its role as a biomarker of oxidative stress in clinical settings, we have developed a methodology that is simple, efficient, accurate and precise, enabling for high-throughput clinical applications25. A miniaturized mixed-mode cation exchange (MCX) 96-well extraction microplate was implemented to achieve simple and effective sample cleanup and enrichment of 3-NT in a single extraction bypassing the drawbacks seen in the existing methods that require derivatization, evaporation and 2D-LC. Liquid chromatography with 0.01% HCOOH as an additive in mobile phase offered an enhanced signal response with a rapid cycle time. Selectivity was further improved through application of a mild NH4OAc elution solution for selective elution of 3-NT, and use of MRM transition for both 3-NT and the internal standard (IS). The matrix effect was compensated for by using a reduced amount of a preferred 13C-labeled isotopic IS for quantification. With the advent of this methodology, researchers and clinicians will be able to verify the role of 3-NT in clinical conditions and further explore the impact of oxidative stress.
All studies involving human urine samples were conducted adherence to the procedure approved by Pharmasan/Neuroscience Institutional Review Board (IRB).
1. Urine Sample Collection and Creatinine (Cr) Determination
2. Preparation of Standard, IS and Quality Control (QC) Samples
3. Solid Phase Extraction Procedure
4. LC-MS/MS Analysis
Time (min) | Module | Events | Parameter |
0 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 5 |
0.5 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 20 |
1 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 50 |
3 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 80 |
4 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 90 |
4.01 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 95 |
5.5 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 95 |
5.6 | Pumps | Pump B Conc. | 5 |
7 | Controller | Stop |
Table 1: Liquid Chromatography Gradient Elution Conditions
5. Peak Identification, Integration and Data Process
Figure 1 illustrates that 3-NT is completely chromatographically separated from other structurally similar tyrosine analogues under the optimized LC condition, which eliminates the co-eluting interferences due to these vastly excessive compounds and consequently enhances the degree of assay selectivity. In addition, the gradient elution with 0.01% HCOOH as additive in MA and methanol at a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min allows rapid elution of 3-NT (i.e., 3 min with a turnaround time of 7 min).
Figure 1: Baseline LC Chromatographic Separation of 3-NT from Other Tyrosine Analogues in a Standard Solution. (A) p-Tyrosine; (B) m-Tyrosine; (C) o-Tyrosine; (D) Cl-Tyrosine; (E) 3-NT. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2 shows that no 3-NT signal is observed in the double blank sample, indicating no formation of artefactual 3-NT during the entire process. Figure 3 illustrates representative MRM chromatograms of 3-NT and IS for a healthy individual. As can be seen, no interfering signals are observed at the retention times of 3-NT and IS. Furthermore, less than ± 6% difference in 3-NT between the non-spiked and spiked pooled urine samples with nitrite (50 µM), nitrate (50 µM) and tyrosine (50 mg/L)25 was observed, which further lends support to the specificity of the assay.
Figure 2: MRM chromatograms of 3-NT and IS in a Representative Double Blank Sample. (A) 3-NT MRM quantifier 227.0 >90.0; (B) IS MRM quantifier 236.0 >189.0. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: MRM Chromatograms of 3-NT and IS in a Representative Urine Sample of Healthy People. (A) 3-NT MRM quantifier 227.0 >90.0; (B) IS MRM quantifier 236.0 >189.0. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
The standard curve was established by extraction of acidified blank urine spiked with 3-NT in the range of 10-2,500 pg/mL by plotting the peak area ratio of 3-NT and IS versus the nominal concentration of 3-NT with a linear fitting of 1/x weighting. A representative standard curve is demonstrated in Figure 4. The LOD, defined as the lowest concentration with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than three, was determined to be 2 pg/mL (0.0088 nM). The LLOQ was determined to be 10 pg/mL (0.044 nM) by definition as the lowest concentration to be measured within ± 20% of imprecision and accuracy with the signal-to-noise ratio greater than ten.
Figure 4: A Representative 3-NT Standard Curve in the Range of 10-2,500 pg/mL. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Substantial variations in concentrations previously reported in the literature for the endogenous free 3-NT in human urine samples reveal methodological problems associated with available assays8,9,10,11. Accurate determination of the low basal level of 3-NT in human urine remains a challenging task that requires special precautions for sample preparation and LC-MS/MS analysis. This protocol outlines a novel SPE procedure combined with a selective LC-MS/MS detection that allows the specific and sensitive determination of urinary 3-NT with high throughput.
Careful selection of MRM parameters improved selectivity for the detection of 3-NT. The MRM transition m/z 236.0 >96.0 of IS for 3-NT in plasma27 caused severe contamination for urine samples. A cleaner, 9-fold increase in signal response was achieved with MRM transition m/z 236.0 >189.0. MRM transition m/z 227.0 >90.0 was selected for 3-NT quantification due to severe interference using the most intensive transition m/z 227.0 >181.0. The detailed MRM transitions and compound parameters are summarized in Table 2.
Analyte | MRM transition (m/z) | DP (V) | EP (V) | CE (eV) | CXP (V) |
3-NT (quantifier) | 227.0 > 90.0 | 50 | 10 | 38 | 13 |
3-NT (qualifier) | 227.0 > 103.9 | 50 | 10 | 45 | 16 |
13C9-NT (IS) | 236.0 > 189.0 | 50 | 10 | 21 | 14 |
a Ion spray voltage: 2200 V; Temperature: 600 °C; Curtain gas: 35; CAD gas: 9; Nebulizer gas (GS1): 50; Heater gas (GS2): 55. |
Table 2: Optimized MRM Conditions.
The traditional C18-type column commonly used for LC chromatographic separation of 3-NT in the literature12,13,17,19 typically required a long turnaround time for reducing interference, making it non-conducive to high throughput. In this protocol, a PFP column was employed for optimization of LC chromatographic separation of 3-NT based on its enhanced retention of polar compounds22,27,28. The concentration of mobile phase additives has an important influence on the signal intensity25,28. HCOOH at 0.01% was found to be the optimal additive in MA as it resulted in a 2.5-fold signal gain over 0.1% concentration, and further decreases in concentration reduced signal response. A gradient elution profile using 0.01% HCOOH in water (MA) and methanol (MB) was established with a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min, achieving an optimal separation and fast elution of 3-NT within 3 min with a total run time of only 7 min, allowing significantly faster analysis of 3-NT in complicated biological matrices than reported in the literature12,13,17,19.
To address the ineffectiveness of the traditional reversed-phase cartridge (C18 type) predominantly used for SPE of biological samples6,7, we recently developed an LC-MS/MS method to determine 3-NT in human plasma by SPE on a single dual-functional 96-well MCX plate27, which resulted in improvements in SPE efficiency and selectivity. However, a distinct drawback of all the SPE approaches in the literature is laborious and risk-associated evaporation and reconstitution steps. Additionally, the plasma method required an extra pre-washing of the extraction plate to eliminate contamination from the sorbent. In this protocol, these drawbacks have been eliminated by a tailored SPE with the use of a miniaturized 96-well microplate. The selection of elution solution was found to be crucial for the extraction efficiency. Substantial interferences were observed in urine samples by applying the common NH4OH elution solution with varied composition of MeOH. It was hypothesized that interfering substances were co-eluted with the analyte due to the strong elution power of the methanolic NH4OH elution solution, consequently resulting in the low selectivity. To improve the selectivity, it was necessary to identify a solution that would be both strong enough to elute 3-NT and weak enough not to cause the elution of interfering compounds. After detailed investigation of less basic NH4OAc at different pH and concentrations, a 25 mM NH4OAc solution with pH 9 was found to be optimal as elution solution. With the optimized elution solution, the issue of interfering compounds was resolved and a 40% gain in sensitivity was achieved compared to the regular methanolic NH4OH elution solution.
Table 3 provides a detailed summary of the analytical performance of this protocol25 compared with other available methods for the determination of the free 3-NT in biological matrices. This protocol offers several distinct advantages over previously reported assays. First, by employing the 96-well extraction microplate, a single step for sample cleanup and analyte enrichment was achieved, avoiding the 1 – 5 cycles of evaporation and reconstitution typically required in the 3-NT methods involving SPE. Second, the solvent usage per sample for SPE was drastically reduced, from 5.5 – 118 mL to only 1.1 mL, representing a 5–107 times reduction in solvent and waste disposal. Third, the LC turnaround time per sample was decreased 2-7 fold compared with other assays and was 30% faster than our previous plasma method. Fourth, a 10-3,000 fold lower amount of the preferable 13C-labeled IS was required for compensation of matrix effect. Lastly, this assay represents a significant sensitivity improvement over other conventional SPE-based LC-MS/MS methods for the quantitation of urinary 3-NT.
Sample preparation | Analytical method |
Matrix | LOD (nM) | LOQ (nM) | LC run (min) | Evapc | Sold (mL) | IS (ng) | Ref. | ||
SPE(C18) +filtration |
LC-MS/MS | Plasma | 0.034 | 0.112 | 20 | 1 | 13 | Analogf | 2 | [6] | |
SPE (MCX plate) |
LC-MS/MS | Plasma | 0.0088 | 0.022 | 10 | 1 | 5.6 | 13C9-NT | 0.25 | [27] | |
PPT+SPE (MCX)+dera | HPLC-UV | Serum | NAb | 100 | 40 | 1 | 7.3 | NAb | NAb | [12] | |
HPLC+dera | GC-MS/MS | Urine | 0.004 | 0.125 | NAb | 5 | NAb | d3-NT | 4.6 | [16] | |
PPT+SPE (amino)+dera | LC-MS/MS | Cat urine | NAb | 14.5 | 40 | 3 | 23 | d3-NT | 75 | [17] | |
PPT+hydrolysis+SPE (SCX-C18) | LC-MS/MS | Urine (protein) | 400 | NA | 50 | 2 | 118 | d3-NT | 2 | [19] | |
IA-2D LCe | LC-MS/MS | Urine | 0.022 | NA | 14 | NAb | NAb | 13C9-NT | 0.85 | [24] | |
SPE (C18)+hydrolysis | HPLC-ECD | Urine (total) | NAb | 4 | 40 | 2 | 5.5 | NAb | NAb | [13] | |
SPE (C18)+Prep LCg +online SPE |
LC-MS/MS | Urine | 0.0088 | 0.041 | 30 | 2 | 38 | d3-NT | 5 | [23] | |
SPE (MIP) | HPLC-UV | Spiked Urine | 700 | NA | 20 | 1 | 18 | NAb | NAb | [14] | |
SPE (MCX μElution) | LC-MS/MS | Urine | 0.0088 | 0.044 | 7 | NO | 1.1 | 13C9-NT | 0.03 | This work | |
ader: derivatization; bNA: not available; cEvap: Evaporation; dSol: Solvent per sample; e IA-2D LC: immunoaffinity chromatography and two-dimensional LC; fAnalog: o-Methyl-Tyrosine; gPrep LC: preparative HPLC purification. |
Table 3: Comparison of the Analytical Performance of this Protocol with Existing Assays for the Detection of 3-NT in Biological Matrices
The analytical and clinical validity of the proposed assay was further assessed through the determination of the reference interval for urinary 3-NT established from the authentic urine samples of 82 healthy people25. The improved simplicity and throughput method allows two plates of urine samples (n = 192) to be processed and analyzed in a 24 h time period. The developed method utilizing the non-invasive urine sampling, being simple, rapid, sensitive and selective, is expected to be a powerful tool in verifying the role of 3-NT in clinical conditions and further exploring the impact of oxidative stress. The critical steps of the protocol include SPE on an MCX microplate using a mild NH4OAc as elution buffer, LC separation on a PFP column with 0.01% HCOOH as an additive and MRM selection for 3-NT quantification. Future application of the method is for quantifying 3-NT concentrations in patients with pathological conditions such as inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, etc. The potential pitfalls of the proposed protocol for clinical applications remain to be addressed.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
The authors would acknowledge Scott Howard and Abigail Marinack for general support and coordination of this work.
3-Nitro-L-tyrosine | Sigma | N7389-5g | |
3-Nitro-L-tyrosine-13C9 | Sigma | 652296-5.0mg | |
Mass Spec Gold Urine | Golden West Biologicals | MSG 5000-1L | |
Oasis MCX 96-well µElution plate | Waters | 186001830BA | |
2mL 96 well collection plate | Phenomenex | AH0-7194 | |
96 positive processor | Waters | 186005521 | |
LC-MS Ultra CHROMASOLV methanol | Sigma | 14262-2L | |
LC-MS Ultra CHROMASOLV water | Sigma | 14263-2L | |
Formic acid for mass spectrometry | Sigma | 94318-50ML-F | |
Ammonium hydroxide solution | Sigma | 338818-1L | |
Ultra PFP propyl columns | Restek | 9179362 | |
5500 Triple quad | AB Sciex | / | Contact manufacture for more detail |
UFLC-XR | Shimadzu | / | Contact manufacture for more detail |
Integra 400 Plus | Roche | / | Urinary Creatinine Jaffé Gen 2 method |
LCMS certified 12 x 32mm screw neck vial | Waters | 600000751CV | |
LCGC certified 12 x 32mm screw neck total recovery vial | Waters | 186000384C | |
5 mL transport tube | Phenix | TT-3205 | |
50 mL Centrifuge tube | Crystalgen | 23-2263 | |
15 mL Centrifuge tube | Crystalgen | 23-2266 | |
eLine electronic pipette | Sartorius | 730391 | |
Microfuge centrifuge | Beckman Coulter | A46474 | |
OHAUS balance | Kennedy Scales, inc. | 735 | |
Vortex mixer | Bernstead Thermolyne | M16715 |