Human postmortem tissue: what quality markers matter?
Author(s): Stan AD, Ghose S, Gao XM, Roberts RC, Lewis-Amezcua K, Hatanpaa KJ, Tamminga CA
Publication: Brain Res, 2006, Vol. 1123, Page 1
PubMed ID: 17045977 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
Conclusion of Paper
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship, if any, between biospecimen characteristics, such as postmortem interval, diagnosis, thaw parameters, or pH, and the quality of extracted RNA and proteins in autopsy and surgically resected brain specimens.
Summary of Findings:
RIN was positively correlated to brain pH at low RIN values although no relationship to postmortem interval (up to 40 h) was observed. pH did not differ among regions located at different brain depths, nor was it dependent upon diagnosis. Further, no relationship between PMI and brain pH was observed. A slow thaw and storage (at room temperature for 24 h) of previously frozen brain specimens adversely affected RIN but not brain pH. Assessment in surgically resected brain specimens frozen within 60 minutes of resection yielded variable pH and RIN values, with some cases displaying values equivalent or better than postmortem samples. Protein concentration did not differ due to PMI, pH, or RIN, as measured in a diverse representative protein set (Rab 3A, Syntaxin, Synaptotagmin, Munc).
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar Disorder
- Autopsy
- Epilepsy
- Normal
- Depression
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform RNA Automated electrophoresis/Bioanalyzer Protein Western blot RNA Electrophoresis Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Acquisition Biospecimen location Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Medial prefrontal cortex
Deep prefrontal cortex
Biospecimen Aliquots and Components pH 6.7 +/- 0.4
Preaquisition Postmortem interval 6 - 40 h
Biospecimen Acquisition Method of tissue acquisition Autopsy
Surgical resection