PSERP Technology Deciphers Glioma Mysteries: ANT BIO PTE. LTD. Multiplex Fluorescence IHC Kits Empower High-Impact Research

Glioma, a malignant tumor originating from glial cells in the brain, has long posed significant challenges to researchers and clinicians due to its high heterogeneity and complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Recently, a groundbreaking study published in Journal of Hematology & Oncology (Impact Factor: 40.4) has shed new light on this intractable disease. The research team led by Gong Chen from Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University and Wenjun Yang from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a novel technology named Panoramic Spatial Enhanced Resolution Proteomics (PSERP), which enables high-definition "panoramic imaging" of the TME. Notably, the multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry (mIHC) kits provided by ANT BIO PTE. LTD. played a crucial role in verifying the core findings of this study, becoming a key technical support for unraveling the mysteries of glioma.

1. Literature Information

Title: Panoramic spatial enhanced resolution proteomics (PSERP) reveals tumor architecture and heterogeneity in gliomas

Journal: Journal of Hematology & Oncology (Impact Factor: 40.4)

Publication Date: 26 May 2025

Research Teams: Gong Chen's team from Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University; Wenjun Yang's team from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Core Reagents from ANT BIO PTE. LTD.: Multiplex Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry Kit (Absin product line), IDH1 (R132H) recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibody (RM390), DRD1 recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibody (HL2680)

Related Product Link: AntBio - Fueling Research, Feeding Discovery

2. Research Background

Glioma is characterized by strong invasiveness, high recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. The intricate heterogeneity of gliomas and the complexity of their TME are the primary obstacles to understanding tumor progression mechanisms and developing effective therapeutic strategies. Conventional research methods lack sufficient spatial resolution to comprehensively analyze the spatial distribution patterns of proteins in entire tissue sections, making it difficult to systematically decipher the molecular interactions within the TME and the spatial heterogeneity of tumors.

To address this gap, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can achieve high-resolution, rapid, and quantitative analysis of spatial proteomic heterogeneity in whole tissue sections. Such technologies would facilitate the identification of protein expression differences between malignant and non-malignant regions of gliomas, clarify the spatial context of cell composition and intercellular communication, and provide new targets for immunotherapy. This is precisely the core motivation driving the research team to develop the PSERP technology.

3. Research Strategy

Centered on the goal of "developing a high-resolution spatial proteomics technology and applying it to glioma research", the research team designed a multi-dimensional and systematic research strategy, integrating multiple cutting-edge technologies to achieve comprehensive analysis from proteomics to cellular and molecular levels:

•         Development and Optimization of PSERP Technology: Integrating tissue expansion, automated sample segmentation, trypsin digestion, and high-throughput proteomics analysis. The tissue was physically expanded while maintaining protein localization, then precisely segmented into thousands of "voxels" using a custom 3D-printed cutting tool. These voxels were transferred to 96-well plates with recorded spatial coordinates, followed by in-gel digestion, peptide extraction, and comprehensive spatial proteomic analysis via data-independent acquisition (DIA) liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

•         Multi-Omics Data Integration: Performing single-nucleus transcriptome analysis on the same glioma samples to obtain single-cell level gene expression information, which was integrated with spatial proteomics data for in-depth analysis of cell composition and intercellular communication.

•         Validation with Multiplex Fluorescence IHC: Employing mIHC technology (using kits from ANT BIO PTE. LTD.) to detect the expression and localization of specific proteins (such as IDH1, DRD1, CSF1R, and EGFR) in tissue sections, providing cellular-level validation and supplementation for PSERP data.

•         Auxiliary Analysis with Complementary Technologies: Utilizing spatial transcriptomics technologies (e.g., Stereo-seq, SeqScope, PIXEL-seq) for unbiased panoramic analysis of transcript expression; applying spatial genomics technology (spatial ATAC-seq) to analyze chromatin accessibility; and adopting spatial metabolomics technology (MALDI-IMS) to reveal the spatial distribution of metabolites and molecular interactions.

•         Clinical Cohort Validation: Collecting samples from 213 glioma patients, conducting whole-exome sequencing (WES) and LC-MS/MS analysis, and combining HLA typing results to identify tumor-specific peptides and verify their clinical application potential.

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4. Research Results

This study achieved multiple breakthroughs in glioma research, providing new perspectives and tools for understanding the disease and developing therapeutic strategies. The key findings are summarized as follows:

4.1 PSERP Technology Demonstrates Excellent Performance in Spatial Proteomic Analysis

The newly developed PSERP technology exhibits remarkable advantages: it can rapidly and quantitatively analyze the spatial variability of the proteome in entire tissue sections with submillimeter resolution, identifying more than 10,000 proteins. This technology fills the gap in high-resolution spatial proteomic analysis of whole tissue sections, offering a powerful tool for studying tumor heterogeneity and cellular characteristics.

4.2 Significant Proteomic Differences Exist Between Malignant and Non-Malignant Regions of Gliomas

The research found that different glioma subtypes (including IDH1-WT/EGFR-mutant, IDH1-mutant, and IDH1/EGFR double wild-type) show distinct proteomic differences between malignant and non-malignant regions. The proteomic profile of malignant regions is closely associated with tumor-related pathways such as cell proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, and DNA repair. In contrast, non-malignant regions are characterized by immune cell infiltration and specific metabolic pathway activation.

4.3 Spatial Characteristics of Cell Composition and Intercellular Communication in Glioma TME Revealed

By integrating PSERP data and single-cell transcriptome data, the research team clarified the spatial characteristics of cell composition and intercellular communication in the glioma TME. For example, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressing CSF1R are enriched at the tumor boundary, and they may promote tumor cell growth through the EGF-EGFR signaling pathway. In IDH1-mutant samples, neurons are enriched in non-malignant regions, which may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

4.4 Spatial Expression Pattern of Tumor-Specific Peptides Identified, Providing Potential Immunotherapeutic Targets

The PSERP technology incorporates a spatially resolved tumor-specific peptide identification workflow, which successfully revealed the spatial expression patterns of tumor-specific peptides in different genotypes of glioma samples. The combination of these tumor-specific peptides has the potential to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in patient-derived cell (PDC) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, laying a foundation for the development of personalized immunotherapeutic strategies for gliomas.

4.5 Promising Clinical Application Prospects

The PSERP technology provides new insights into the molecular landscape of tumors, offering possibilities for future precision medicine and targeted immunotherapy. It can help identify potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for gliomas, guiding the development of more effective clinical treatment strategies.

5. Product Empowerment: The Core Role of ANT BIO PTE. LTD. Products in the Study

The verification of spatial protein expression and cellular localization is a key link in this study, and the multiplex fluorescence IHC products from ANT BIO PTE. LTD. perfectly met this research demand, providing reliable experimental data support for the validation of PSERP technology and the confirmation of core findings.

5.1 Key Products and Application Scenarios

5.2 Specific Experimental Process and Product Advantages

The research team performed sequential staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) glioma tissue sections (4 μm thick) using the multiplex fluorescence IHC kit and specific antibodies from ANT BIO PTE. LTD. The experimental process included: baking the sections at 65°C for 60 minutes, dewaxing in xylene, sequential staining with IDH1 (R132H) and DRD1 recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies, and subsequent fluorescence detection.

The products from ANT BIO PTE. LTD. exhibited prominent advantages in the experiment: the multiplex fluorescence IHC kit had high signal specificity and low background interference, enabling clear visualization of the spatial distribution of target cells; the recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies had high affinity and specificity, ensuring the accurate recognition of target proteins. These advantages allowed the research team to intuitively observe the spatial distribution of different cell types in tissue sections, providing direct cellular-level evidence for the integration analysis of PSERP data and single-cell transcriptome data, and effectively supporting the confirmation of research conclusions.

6. Brand Mission

As a professional supplier of life science reagents, ANT BIO PTE. LTD. is dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable products and comprehensive solutions to empower global life science research. The company's three specialized sub-brands cover the full spectrum of research needs in the life science field: Absin focuses on general reagents and kits, Starter specializes in antibodies, and UA is dedicated to recombinant proteins. Our core mission is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and practical applications, accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and contribute to the advancement of human health and regenerative medicine.

7. Related Product List

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8. Disclaimer

This article is AI-compiled and interpreted based on the original work in DOI: 10.1186/s13045-025-01578-8. All intellectual property (e.g., images, data) of the original publication shall belong to the journal and the research team. For any infringement, please contact us promptly and we will take immediate action.

9. Brand Promotion Copy

ANT BIO PTE. LTD. – Empowering Scientific Breakthroughs

At ANTBIO, we are committed to advancing life science research through high-quality, reliable reagents and comprehensive solutions. Our specialized sub-brands (Absin, Starter, UA) cover a full spectrum of research needs, from general reagents and kits to antibodies and recombinant proteins. With a focus on innovation, quality, and customer-centricity, we strive to be your trusted partner in unlocking scientific mysteries and driving medical progress. Explore our product portfolio today and elevate your research to new heights.