Multiplex Biomarker Detection in Dried Plasma Spots: finding the best biomarker for remote blood collection

TL;DR

This study explores the use of dried plasma spots for detecting Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, showing strong correlations with traditional blood samples.

Contribution

The study expands the use of dried plasma spots for multiplex detection of CNS biomarkers, including Alzheimer's-related proteins.

Findings

Several biomarkers showed strong correlations between dried plasma spots and plasma with r > 0.99.

AD-related biomarkers like p-tau181 and NfL demonstrated strong correlations (p < 0.0001).

25% of proteins had weak correlations (r < 0.5), indicating variability in biomarker detection.

Abstract

Conventional blood sampling for the testing of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers depends on stringent, time‐sensitive, and temperature‐dependent protocols for processing, shipping, and storage. Dry plasma spots (DPS) present a simpler, more scalable alternative for the collection, storage, and transport of blood samples and may offer an alternative sampling when access to blood volume is limited. Notably, neurodegenerative biomarkers such as p‐tau, NfL, and GFAP from DPS have demonstrated a strong correlation with paired plasma on other platforms. In this pilot study, we aimed to expand on these findings by exploring a broader panel of central nervous system (CNS) biomarkers using DPS, assessing their potential for reliable and accurate detection.

We used the NULISA™ platform to test multiplex detection of a CNS biomarker panel (127 proteins) in DPS and matched plasma, examining plasma–DPS correlations. A discovery cohort (n = 14; mean age 71.1 ± 12.8 years; 8 females [57%]) was selected from the Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory in Mölndal, Sweden. DPS (Telimmune™ Plasma Separation Card) spiked with venous blood, were analysed with their paired EDTA plasma collected by traditional venipuncture. Pearson correlation was used to compare protein quantification across sample types.

We demonstrated several biomarker associations between DPS and plasma with a correlation coefficient >0.99 and p <0.0001 (Figure 1), including APOe4 (r = 0.996), IL6 (r = 0.995), and FABP3 (r = 0.994). Notably, AD‐related biomarkers like p‐tau181 (r=0.89), p‐tau231 (r=0.86), GFAP (r=0.8), NPTX2 (r=0.92), NFL (r=0.95), SMOC1 (r=0.91), and total Tau (r=0.93) all showed strong correlations and p <0.0001. DOPA decarboxylase, relevant for LBD and atypical Parkinsonian disorders, also correlated strongly (r=0.98, p <0.0001). VGF, a biomarker of synaptic plasticity altered in AD and Major Depressive Disorder showed a strong correlation (r = 0.95, p <0.0001). Among 16 interleukins, 11 had r>0.8 (p <0.0003) and 4 had r>0.5 (p <0.05), with IL6 (r=0.995) and IL12 (r=0.994) correlating notably strong (p <0.0001). However, 25% of proteins have a weak correlation coefficient of r<0.5 with plasma.

Our findings highlight the potential of DPS as a practical and scalable tool for multiplex biomarker detection. Further research is required to identify and validate optimal AD biomarkers in DPS‐based multiplex assays.

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