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Papers by Viviana Belalcazar

Research paper thumbnail of Urinary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate metabolites in athletes as screening measure for illicit blood doping: a comparison study with patients receiving blood transfusion

Urinary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate metabolites in athletes as screening measure for illicit blood... more Urinary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate metabolites in athletes as screening measure for illicit blood doping: a comparison study with patients receiving blood transfusion_ 02352 145..149

Research paper thumbnail of Clarification on the detection of epoetin delta and epoetin omega using isoelectric focusing

American Journal of Hematology, 2008

To the Editor: In a recent article in your journal, Delanghe et al. [1]. reviewed both the indire... more To the Editor: In a recent article in your journal, Delanghe et al. [1]. reviewed both the indirect and direct methods for the detection of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in doping analysis. However, some of the statements made are incorrect and some others deserve ...

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of proteinN-glycosylation in 2-DE: Erythropoietin as a study case

PROTEOMICS, 2007

The structure, function, and physico-chemical properties of many proteins are determined by PTM, ... more The structure, function, and physico-chemical properties of many proteins are determined by PTM, being glycosylation the most complex. This study describes how a combination of typical proteomics methods (2-DE) combines with glycomics strategies (HPLC, MALDI-TOF-MS, exoglycosidases sequencing) to yield comprehensive data about single spot-microheterogeneity, providing meaningful information for the detection of disease markers, pharmaceutical industry, antidoping control, etc. Recombinant erythropoietin and its hyperglycosylated analogue darbepoetin-a were chosen as showcases because of their relevance in these fields and the analytical challenge they represent. The combined approach yielded good results in terms of sample complexity (mixture glycoforms), reproducibility, sensitivity (,25 pmoles of glycoprotein/spot), and identification of the underlying protein. Heterogeneity was present in all spots but with a clear tendency; spots proximal to the anode contained the highest amount of tetra-antennary tetrasialylated glycans, whereas the opposite occurred for spots proximal to the cathode with the majority of the structures being undersialylated. Spot microheterogeneity proved a consequence of the multiple glycosylation sites as they contributed directly to the number of possibilities to account for a discrete charge in a single spot. The interest of this combined glycoproteomics method resides in the efficiency for detecting and quantifying subtle dissimilarities originated from altered ratios of identical glycans including N-acetyl-lactosamine repeats, acetylation, or antigenic epitopes, that do not significantly contribute to the electrophoretic mobility, but affect the glycan microheterogeneity and the potential underlying related functionality.

Research paper thumbnail of Recombinant erythropoietin and analogues: a challenge for doping control

Therapeutic drug monitoring, 2004

Erythropoietin (EPO) increases the number of circulating erythrocytes and thus muscle oxygenation... more Erythropoietin (EPO) increases the number of circulating erythrocytes and thus muscle oxygenation. The availability of the recombinant protein (rEPO) has increased the risk of its illegal use in sports, its detection being a difficult challenge. Five different hematopoietic parameters were initially chosen as indirect markers of rEPO abuse: concentration of serum EPO, concentration of serum-soluble transferrin receptors (sTFr), hematocrit, percentage of reticulocytes, and percentage of macrocytes. New models considering only hemoglobin, serum EPO concentration, and percentage of reticulocytes are simpler and seem to be more sensitive when low doses of rEPO are used. A more direct method of urine analysis (isoelectrofocusing, double blotting, and chemiluminescent detection) based on the charge differences between rEPO and endogenous EPO, related to their carbohydrate composition, provides proof of rEPO use. Furthermore, this approach permits the detection of darbepoetin, a direct ana...

Research paper thumbnail of Dual morphometrical changes of the deltoid muscle in patients with COPD

The present study was specifically aimed at evaluating if the structure of the deltoid muscles is... more The present study was specifically aimed at evaluating if the structure of the deltoid muscles is modified in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty-eight male volunteers (61+/-13 yr) were assigned, according to pulmonary function, to either the COPD (n=14, FEV(1)=22-74%pred) or control group (n=14, FEV(1)=83-121%pred). Biopsies from non-dominant deltoid muscle were obtained and processed for morphometric analysis of the fibre types. Both type I and type II muscle fibres were distributed in the typical mosaic pattern. The mean value of the fibre size was within the normal range. However, three differentiated modes were observed in the deltoid from COPD patients: a central mode of normal sized fibres, a mode of atrophic fibres and a mode of hypertrophic fibres. This observation was evident even within single fascicles and especially prevalent in the most severe COPD patients. We conclude that factors with opposite effect (promotion of either atrophy or hypertrophy) exert relevant roles in the histomorphometrical characteristics of the deltoid muscles in COPD patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Assesing the instability of the isoelectric focusing patterns of erythropoietin in urine

IEF can be used to differentiate human urinary erythropoietin (uEPO), recombinant human erythropo... more IEF can be used to differentiate human urinary erythropoietin (uEPO), recombinant human erythropoietin or epoetin (rEPO) and darbepoetin (novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP)). This is the basis of the method currently used to detect misuse of rEPO and NESP by elite athletes. Recently, an unknown activity has been attributed to some urine samples (denominated 'unstable' urine by the World Anti-Doping Agency; WADA). This activity has shown to give rise to artefactual profiles for both rEPO and NESP when incubated with such urine and, thus, raised concerns with respect to doping control. We have evaluated which charges produce the characteristic IEF profiles of uEPO, rEPO and NESP and how these profiles respond to distinct enzymatic reactions. From sialidase digestions it became evident that only uEPO contains charges different from sialic acid, and a comparison of all substances after complete deN -glycosylation localized these charges in the carbohydrate moiety. Partial desialylation, or digestion with arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia yielded profiles for recombinants species similar to those observed for unstable urine samples. The contributions from our studies to the anti-doping problem include: (i) protocols that may corroborate the potential misuse of rEPO or NESP based on the particular enzymatic activity of an arylsulfatase preparation, or a broad-specificity sialidase; (ii) assurance that the instability observed in some urine samples may only result from falsenegatives, but not from false-positive testing; and (iii) a simple remedy to prevent an unstable urine from altering the IEF profile by adding selective competitive substrates.

Research paper thumbnail of Increased FasL expression correlates with apoptotic changes in granulocytes cultured with oxidized clozapine

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2006

Clozapine has been associated with a 1% incidence of agranulocytosis. The formation of an oxidize... more Clozapine has been associated with a 1% incidence of agranulocytosis. The formation of an oxidized intermediate clozapine metabolite has been implicated in direct polymorphonuclear (PMN) toxicity. We utilized two separate systems to analyze the role of oxidized clozapine in inducing apoptosis in treated cells. Human PMN cells incubated with clozapine (0-10 microM) in the presence of 0.1 mM H2O2 demonstrated a progressive decrease of surface CD16 expression along with increased apoptosis. RT-PCR analysis showed decreased CD16 but increased FasL gene expression in clozapine-treated PMN cells. No change in constitutive Fas expression was observed in treated cells. In HL-60 cells induced to differentiate with retinoic acid (RA), a similar increase in FasL expression, but no associated changes in CD16 gene expression, was observed following clozapine treatments. Our results demonstrate increased FasL gene expression in oxidized clozapine-induced apoptotic neutrophils suggesting that apoptosis in granulocytes treated with clozapine involves Fas/FasL interaction that initiates a cascade of events leading to clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-EPO and anti-NESP antibodies raised against synthetic peptides that reproduce the minimal amino acid sequence differences between EPO and NESP

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2007

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that regulates red blood cell production. Recombinant human EPO... more Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that regulates red blood cell production. Recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and NESP (novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein) have been produced for therapeutic purposes and also to improve sports performance. The primary sequences of rHuEPO and NESP differ by just five amino acids. Due to the high homology, no antibodies that are able to discriminate between both molecules have been obtained until now. The aim of the present work was to design synthetic peptides corresponding to the sequence that differs between EPO and NESP (87-90aa), that can then be used as immunogens to develop specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies for selectively detecting EPO and NESP. Three peptides were synthesized: EPO (81-95), NESP (81-95), and NESP (86-104), and these were coupled to KLH

Research paper thumbnail of Urinary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate metabolites in athletes as screening measure for illicit blood doping: a comparison study with patients receiving blood transfusion

Urinary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate metabolites in athletes as screening measure for illicit blood... more Urinary di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate metabolites in athletes as screening measure for illicit blood doping: a comparison study with patients receiving blood transfusion_ 02352 145..149

Research paper thumbnail of Clarification on the detection of epoetin delta and epoetin omega using isoelectric focusing

American Journal of Hematology, 2008

To the Editor: In a recent article in your journal, Delanghe et al. [1]. reviewed both the indire... more To the Editor: In a recent article in your journal, Delanghe et al. [1]. reviewed both the indirect and direct methods for the detection of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in doping analysis. However, some of the statements made are incorrect and some others deserve ...

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of proteinN-glycosylation in 2-DE: Erythropoietin as a study case

PROTEOMICS, 2007

The structure, function, and physico-chemical properties of many proteins are determined by PTM, ... more The structure, function, and physico-chemical properties of many proteins are determined by PTM, being glycosylation the most complex. This study describes how a combination of typical proteomics methods (2-DE) combines with glycomics strategies (HPLC, MALDI-TOF-MS, exoglycosidases sequencing) to yield comprehensive data about single spot-microheterogeneity, providing meaningful information for the detection of disease markers, pharmaceutical industry, antidoping control, etc. Recombinant erythropoietin and its hyperglycosylated analogue darbepoetin-a were chosen as showcases because of their relevance in these fields and the analytical challenge they represent. The combined approach yielded good results in terms of sample complexity (mixture glycoforms), reproducibility, sensitivity (,25 pmoles of glycoprotein/spot), and identification of the underlying protein. Heterogeneity was present in all spots but with a clear tendency; spots proximal to the anode contained the highest amount of tetra-antennary tetrasialylated glycans, whereas the opposite occurred for spots proximal to the cathode with the majority of the structures being undersialylated. Spot microheterogeneity proved a consequence of the multiple glycosylation sites as they contributed directly to the number of possibilities to account for a discrete charge in a single spot. The interest of this combined glycoproteomics method resides in the efficiency for detecting and quantifying subtle dissimilarities originated from altered ratios of identical glycans including N-acetyl-lactosamine repeats, acetylation, or antigenic epitopes, that do not significantly contribute to the electrophoretic mobility, but affect the glycan microheterogeneity and the potential underlying related functionality.

Research paper thumbnail of Recombinant erythropoietin and analogues: a challenge for doping control

Therapeutic drug monitoring, 2004

Erythropoietin (EPO) increases the number of circulating erythrocytes and thus muscle oxygenation... more Erythropoietin (EPO) increases the number of circulating erythrocytes and thus muscle oxygenation. The availability of the recombinant protein (rEPO) has increased the risk of its illegal use in sports, its detection being a difficult challenge. Five different hematopoietic parameters were initially chosen as indirect markers of rEPO abuse: concentration of serum EPO, concentration of serum-soluble transferrin receptors (sTFr), hematocrit, percentage of reticulocytes, and percentage of macrocytes. New models considering only hemoglobin, serum EPO concentration, and percentage of reticulocytes are simpler and seem to be more sensitive when low doses of rEPO are used. A more direct method of urine analysis (isoelectrofocusing, double blotting, and chemiluminescent detection) based on the charge differences between rEPO and endogenous EPO, related to their carbohydrate composition, provides proof of rEPO use. Furthermore, this approach permits the detection of darbepoetin, a direct ana...

Research paper thumbnail of Dual morphometrical changes of the deltoid muscle in patients with COPD

The present study was specifically aimed at evaluating if the structure of the deltoid muscles is... more The present study was specifically aimed at evaluating if the structure of the deltoid muscles is modified in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty-eight male volunteers (61+/-13 yr) were assigned, according to pulmonary function, to either the COPD (n=14, FEV(1)=22-74%pred) or control group (n=14, FEV(1)=83-121%pred). Biopsies from non-dominant deltoid muscle were obtained and processed for morphometric analysis of the fibre types. Both type I and type II muscle fibres were distributed in the typical mosaic pattern. The mean value of the fibre size was within the normal range. However, three differentiated modes were observed in the deltoid from COPD patients: a central mode of normal sized fibres, a mode of atrophic fibres and a mode of hypertrophic fibres. This observation was evident even within single fascicles and especially prevalent in the most severe COPD patients. We conclude that factors with opposite effect (promotion of either atrophy or hypertrophy) exert relevant roles in the histomorphometrical characteristics of the deltoid muscles in COPD patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Assesing the instability of the isoelectric focusing patterns of erythropoietin in urine

IEF can be used to differentiate human urinary erythropoietin (uEPO), recombinant human erythropo... more IEF can be used to differentiate human urinary erythropoietin (uEPO), recombinant human erythropoietin or epoetin (rEPO) and darbepoetin (novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP)). This is the basis of the method currently used to detect misuse of rEPO and NESP by elite athletes. Recently, an unknown activity has been attributed to some urine samples (denominated 'unstable' urine by the World Anti-Doping Agency; WADA). This activity has shown to give rise to artefactual profiles for both rEPO and NESP when incubated with such urine and, thus, raised concerns with respect to doping control. We have evaluated which charges produce the characteristic IEF profiles of uEPO, rEPO and NESP and how these profiles respond to distinct enzymatic reactions. From sialidase digestions it became evident that only uEPO contains charges different from sialic acid, and a comparison of all substances after complete deN -glycosylation localized these charges in the carbohydrate moiety. Partial desialylation, or digestion with arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia yielded profiles for recombinants species similar to those observed for unstable urine samples. The contributions from our studies to the anti-doping problem include: (i) protocols that may corroborate the potential misuse of rEPO or NESP based on the particular enzymatic activity of an arylsulfatase preparation, or a broad-specificity sialidase; (ii) assurance that the instability observed in some urine samples may only result from falsenegatives, but not from false-positive testing; and (iii) a simple remedy to prevent an unstable urine from altering the IEF profile by adding selective competitive substrates.

Research paper thumbnail of Increased FasL expression correlates with apoptotic changes in granulocytes cultured with oxidized clozapine

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2006

Clozapine has been associated with a 1% incidence of agranulocytosis. The formation of an oxidize... more Clozapine has been associated with a 1% incidence of agranulocytosis. The formation of an oxidized intermediate clozapine metabolite has been implicated in direct polymorphonuclear (PMN) toxicity. We utilized two separate systems to analyze the role of oxidized clozapine in inducing apoptosis in treated cells. Human PMN cells incubated with clozapine (0-10 microM) in the presence of 0.1 mM H2O2 demonstrated a progressive decrease of surface CD16 expression along with increased apoptosis. RT-PCR analysis showed decreased CD16 but increased FasL gene expression in clozapine-treated PMN cells. No change in constitutive Fas expression was observed in treated cells. In HL-60 cells induced to differentiate with retinoic acid (RA), a similar increase in FasL expression, but no associated changes in CD16 gene expression, was observed following clozapine treatments. Our results demonstrate increased FasL gene expression in oxidized clozapine-induced apoptotic neutrophils suggesting that apoptosis in granulocytes treated with clozapine involves Fas/FasL interaction that initiates a cascade of events leading to clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Anti-EPO and anti-NESP antibodies raised against synthetic peptides that reproduce the minimal amino acid sequence differences between EPO and NESP

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2007

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that regulates red blood cell production. Recombinant human EPO... more Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that regulates red blood cell production. Recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and NESP (novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein) have been produced for therapeutic purposes and also to improve sports performance. The primary sequences of rHuEPO and NESP differ by just five amino acids. Due to the high homology, no antibodies that are able to discriminate between both molecules have been obtained until now. The aim of the present work was to design synthetic peptides corresponding to the sequence that differs between EPO and NESP (87-90aa), that can then be used as immunogens to develop specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies for selectively detecting EPO and NESP. Three peptides were synthesized: EPO (81-95), NESP (81-95), and NESP (86-104), and these were coupled to KLH