Highly automated nano-LC/MS-based approach for thousand cell-scale quantification of side chain-hydroxylated oxysterols.

Iso-octyl chain-hydroxylated oxysterols were determined in attomoles per 10,000 cells concentrations in 10,000-80,000 cultured pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, using a sensitive, highly automated nano-LC-ESI-MS-based method. Identified oxysterols included 24S hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC), 25 hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC), and 27 hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC), while 20S hydroxycholesterol and 22S hydroxycholesterol were not detected. Lower mass limit of quantification was 23 fg (65 amol) for 25-OHC and 27-OHC (100 times lower than our previous method) and 54 fg (135 amol) for 24S-OHC, after derivatization into Girard T hydrazones and online sample cleanup using simplified and robust automatic filtration and filter back flushing solid phase extraction LC/MS/MS. The instrument configuration was easily installed using a commercial nano-LC/MS system. Recoveries in spiked sample were 96, 97, and 77% for 24S-OHC, 25-OHC, and 27-OHC, with within- and between-day repeatabilities of 1-21% and 2-20% relative SD, respectively. The study demonstrates the potential of nano-LC in lipidomics/sterolomics.