Image acquisition and data analysis was performed as described previously [15] . In brief, after staining, the 2D gels were scanned by using LabScan software version 6.0 (GE Healthcare) and analyzed by using ImageMaster 2D Platinum 7.0 software (GE Healthcare). Comparative analysis of FM samples was performed by creating different ''match sets'' and using the HC samples as reference. Spot detection parameters were specified as: Smooth: 7, Saliency: 100 and Min Area: 5. After automatic detection of the spots through IMP7, manual refinement was performed to eliminate any contaminating artifacts, such as streaks or dust particles. Spot quantification was performed in % vol value using ImageMaster algorithm. It provided normalized value that remains relatively independent of variations due to staining or protein loading. The gel analysis tables, histograms and 3D images generated by the software were used for further analysis.