engleski

Estimation of human age using N-glycan profiles from bloodstains

Protein glycosylation is the most common epiproteomic modification that is 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 HILIC-UPLC. The statistically significant correlation between N- glycan profiles of bloodstains and chronological age was found and the 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 variation in age, with the prediction error of 9.07 years. Our findings demonstrate that the analysis of the N-glycan profile could be a useful tool in forensics, offering the human age estimation from dried bloodstains found at the crime scene.

protein glycosylation ; human plasma N-glycans ; age estimation ; bloodstains

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