Estimation of human age using N-glycan profiles from bloodstains

Ivan Gudelj, Toma Keser, Frano Vučković, Vedrana Škaro, Sandra Šupraha Goreta, Tamara Pavić, Jerka Dumić, Dragan Primorac, Gordan Lauc, Olga Gornik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Protein glycosylation is the most common epiproteomic modification involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Previous studies reported strong associations between human plasma N-glycans and age, prompting us to evaluate the potential application of this biological phenomenon in the field of forensics. Blood from 526 blood donors from different parts of Croatia was collected on bloodstain cards during the period 2004–2007 and stored at 4°C for 6–9 years. Glycosylation profiles of the bloodstains were analysed using hydrophilic interaction ultra performance liquid chromatography (HILIC-UPLC) and divided into 38 glycan groups (GP1-GP38). A statistically significant correlation between N-glycan profiles of bloodstains and chronological age was found and a statistical model that can be used for the age prediction was designed (Age = 75.59 – 5.15 × (GP4)2+ 17.07 × GP6 – 5.30 × (GP10)2 – 16.56 × GP16 + 20.07 × GP20 – 7.54 × (GP20)2 + 16.47 × GP22). This model explains 47.78 % of the variation in age, with a prediction error of 9.07 years. Our findings demonstrate that analysing the N-glycan profile could be a new tool in forensics, offering an approximate human age estimation from dried bloodstains found at a crime scene.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)955-961
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Legal Medicine
Volume129
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 28 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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