-Author name in bold denotes the presenting author
-Asterisk * with author name denotes a Non-ASH member
Clinically Relevant Abstract denotes an abstract that is clinically relevant.

PhD Trainee denotes that this is a recommended PHD Trainee Session.

Ticketed Session denotes that this is a ticketed session.

4988 The De Novo Sequencing of Full-Length Amyloidogenic Light Chain By Peripheral Blood Mass Spectrometry

Program: Oral and Poster Abstracts
Session: 803. Emerging Tools, Techniques, and Artificial Intelligence in Hematology: Poster III
Hematology Disease Topics & Pathways:
Assays, Technology and Procedures
Monday, December 9, 2024, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Ai Guan, MD1*, Kaini Shen, MD2*, Wei Su3*, Bing Wang4*, Bin Ma, PhD5 and Jian Li, MD6

1Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
2Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, CHN
3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
4Shanghai Kuaixu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
5Rapid Novor Inc., Kitchener, ON, Canada
6Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China

Accurate determination of full-length sequences and post-translational modifications of amyloidogenic light chains (AL-LC) is crucial for understanding the pathogenic mechanisms underlying AL amyloidosis. Traditional methods, such as indirect cDNA sequencing, often fall short in achieving full-length sequence determination. In contrast, mass spectrometry offers a more precise approach. However, previous studies have faced challenges due to limited clinical specimens and inadequate database search strategies, hindering full-length sequence acquisition. The introduction of the REmAb sequencing platform (Rapid Novor, Kitchener, ON) combined with LC-MS technology offers a promising new method for determining full-length AL-LC sequences.

In our study, we aimed to develop and validate a de novo sequencing methodology for AL-LC using LC-MS. We enrolled 17 patients with AL amyloidosis and 11 patients with other plasma cell disorders, each with a serum free light chain (dFLC) ≥50 mg/dL. Seven patients with AL amyloidosis also provided biopsy tissue specimens. We performed serum-free light chain (sFLC) enrichment, PNGF enzyme pretreatment, and LC-MS analysis on baseline peripheral blood samples. De novo sequencing was conducted using the REmAb platform, and N-glycosylation modifications were identified with pGlyco3 (pFind Lab, Beijing, China). Additionally, biopsy tissue was analyzed with LMD/MS at other institutions.

Electrophoresis results confirmed that sFLC-enriched monomers were concentrated at 17 kDa and dimers at 34 kDa, consistent with existing literature. Sequencing results from peripheral blood samples showed a high consistency of 98.85% (range 70.4-100.0%) compared to mass spectrometry data from biopsy tissues, indicating the accuracy of our methodology.

Our method also enabled the precise identification of post-translational modifications, including N-glycosylation, which was specific to AL-LC and not observed in non-AL-LC samples. Homologous modeling of protease cleavage sites revealed that these sites are primarily located at the N-terminus or external structures, with LC fragments being rare in peripheral blood, suggesting protein degradation predominantly occurs after sedimentation.

Preliminary analysis of mutation profiles indicated that non-conservative mutations in AL-LC are concentrated in the V region and differ from those in the control group. However, no specific mutation sites were identified within AL-LC of the same germline type, suggesting that multiple mutations may contribute to pathogenicity. Further validation with a larger sample size is needed.

In conclusion, we successfully established and validated a de novo full-length sequencing methodology for peripheral blood AL-LC using LC-MS. This method offers accurate sequencing results and the ability to simultaneously acquire post-translational modification information, facilitating research into AL-LC mechanisms and providing potential for improved risk prediction and clinical monitoring of AL amyloidosis patients.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

*signifies non-member of ASH