Comprehensive analyses of oxidized phospholipids using a measured MS/MS spectra library

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) are widely held to be associated with various diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. To characterize the structure-specific behavior of OxPLs and their physiological relevance, we developed a comprehensive analytical method by establishing a measured MS/MS spectra library of OxPLs. Biogenic OxPLs were prepared by the addition of specific oxidized fatty acids to cultured cells, where they were incorporated into cellular phospholipids, and untargeted lipidomics by LC-quadrupole/TOF-MS was applied to collect MS/MS spectra for the OxPLs. Based on the measured MS/MS spectra for about 400 molecular species of the biogenic OxPLs, we developed a broad-targeted lipidomics system using triple quadru-pole MS. Separation precision of structural isomers was optimized by multiple reaction monitoring analysis and this system enabled us to detect OxPLs at levels as low as 10 fmol. When applied to biological samples, i.e., mouse peritoneal macrophages, this system enabled us to monitor a series of OxPLs endogenously produced in a 12/15-lipoxygenase-dependent manner. This advanced analytical method will be useful to elucidate the structure-specific behavior of OxPLs and their physiological relevance in vivo.