Characterization of complex lipid mixtures in contaminant exposed JEG-3 cells using liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Oct;21(20):11907-16. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-3172-5. Epub 2014 Jun 28.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a method based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) for lipid profiling in human placental choriocarcinoma (JEG-3) cells. Lipids were solid-liquid extracted from JEG-3 cells using a solution of chloroform/methanol (2:1, v/v) in a simple procedure requiring minimal sample alteration. Simultaneous separation of complex lipid mixtures in their major classes was achieved with a reversed-phase (C8) UHPLC column and a mobile phase containing methanol with 1 mM ammonium formate and 0.2 % formic acid (A)/water with 2 mM ammonium formate and 0.2 % formic acid (B). Lipids were characterized using time-of-flight (TOF) and Orbitrap under full scan and positive electrospray ionization mode with both analyzers. A total of 178 species of lipids, including 37 phosphatidylcholines (PC), 32 plasmalogen PC, 9 lyso PC, 4 lyso plasmalogen PC, 30 triacylglycerols, 22 diacylglycerols, 7 cholesterol esters, 25 phosphatidylethanolamines, and 12 sphingomyelins, were identified using TOF and Orbitrap. The identification of all lipid classes was based on exact mass characterization with an error < 5 ppm. The developed methodology was applied to study lipid alterations in human placental cells against the exposure to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and tributyltin (TBT).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Fluorocarbons / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / analysis*
  • Lipids / isolation & purification
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Metabolome / drug effects
  • Trialkyltin Compounds / toxicity*

Substances

  • Fluorocarbons
  • Lipids
  • Trialkyltin Compounds
  • tributyltin