Identifying space-resolved proteins of the murine thymus, by combining MALDI-MSI and proteomics.

ABSTRACT: Identifying spatially resolved proteomes has advanced markedly, yet integrating definitive protein identification with precise spatial localization in a single workflow remains challenging. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) enables antibody-free mapping of proteins in tissue sections, but its capacity for unambiguous identification is limited. Here, we present a combined MALDI-MSI and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach to map protein localization and track spatial changes in murine thymus during chemotherapy-induced involution and regeneration. Our workflow incorporates a scoring algorithm (pepBridge) that aligns MALDI-MSI molecular signals with LC-MS/MS identifications, enabling confident assignment of protein

SUBMITTER: Aguilan JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12634821 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature