Biochemical analysis of normal human tissues and those of lymphoma patients by high-resolution protein mapping.

The technique of high-resolution, two-dimensional electrophoresis was applied to crude membrane protein fractions of various normal human tissue samples, and those, mainly spleens and lymph nodes, of patients with lymphomas of different types. The obtained protein maps show a high reproducibility, tissue specificity, and sensitivity to specific oncologic changes. The relevance of the latter aspect to tumor characterization is illustrated. Quantitatively, minor proteins were detected by a sensitive silver stain. The feasibility of objective, computerized quantification and evaluation of the protein maps is described.