Proteomics analysis of preterm lung tissue with mass spectrometry to understand the impact of tidal volume strategy at birth

This study aimed to use a lamb model of preterm birth to investigate the impact of different tidal volume strategies, applied during positive pressure ventilation, on lung injury development. Preterm lambs were ventilated for a total of 15 minutes, followed by a 30 minute ‘rest’ period where lambs were supported via the intact placenta. A group of lambs was also euthanised at birth to act as an unventilated control group. At post-mortem lung tissue was sampled for proteomic analysis. Lung tissue samples were analysed by mass spectrometry-based proteomics using a TMT-11plex labelling approach, followed by nano-liquid chromatography coupled to an Q Exactive HF-X benchtop Orbitrap mass spectrometer in a data-dependent acquisition mode.