Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Using Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Human Cardiac Tissue

Clinical tissue archives represent an invaluable source of biological information. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue can be used for retrospective investigation of biomarkers of diseases and prognosis.Recently, the number of studies using proteome profiling of samples from clinical archives has markedly increased. However, the application of conventional quantitative proteomics technologies remains a challenge mainly due to the harsh fixation process resulting in protein cross-linking and protein degradation. In the present chapter, we demonstrate a protocol for label-free proteomic analysis of FFPE tissue prepared from human cardiac autopsies. The data presented here highlight the applicability and suitability of FFPE heart tissue for understanding the molecular mechanism of cardiac injury using a proteomics approach.