An application of imaging mass spectrometry to human placentas

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A matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-based mass spectrometer provides clear two-dimensional molecular identification with highly sensitive mass spectrometry from mixtures of ions generated on tissue surfaces. We applied this technology to the molecular identification of phospholipids in the human term placenta and found that sphingomyelin (d18:1/16:0) and phosphatidylcholine (16:0/20:4) were distributed differently between stem and terminal villi. We further identified four phospholipids overexpressed in the terminal villi complicated with severe preeclampsia. Further study is ongoing.