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Serum levels of pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin (alpha 2-PEG), a glycosylated beta-lactoglobulin homologue, in successful and unsuccessful assisted conception.

Pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin (alpha 2-PEG) is the major secretory protein of the endometrium in the late luteal phase. Serum levels were measured during the implantation period in successful and unsuccessful cycles of assisted conception. The effects of two different treatment regimens were also compared. All patients who underwent ovulation induction therapy showed an endometrial response as measured by a rise in serum levels of alpha 2-PEG. This rise was the same regardless of either implantation or the method of ovulation induction used. Higher levels were seen at oocyte recovery in those cycles treated with clomiphene citrate and may reflect a disordered endometrial response involving a direct effect of the drug on the endometrium. This may explain the difference in success rates in assisted conception when an alternative treatment initially involving down-regulation of endogenous gonadotrophin activity and subsequent administration of gonadotrophins is used. The rise in serum levels seen in pregnancy did not differ statistically according to whether the pregnancy progressed normally or subsequently aborted. Considerably reduced alpha 2-PEG production by the endometrium was identified in one patient who subsequently aborted. The measurement of serum levels of alpha 2-PEG during the implantation phase is unlikely to provide a clinical tool either for early detection of pregnancy or as a prognostic factor of successful implantation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Regulation of the glycosylated beta-lactoglobulin homolog, glycodelin [placental protein 14:(PP14)] in the baboon (Papio anubis) uterus.

In vitro studies indicate that glycodelin (PP14) synthesis by the human endometrium increases dramatically at the time of implantation and early pregnancy. It has been postulated that this protein may have an immunosuppressive function. Due to the limitations associated with in vivo studies in the human, this study was undertaken to study the regulation of the baboon glycodelin homolog in vivo during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. In nonpregnant baboons, between days 10-12 postovulation (n = 3) the mid and apical regions of the glandular epithelium showed a distinct punctate staining pattern, which increased between days 12-18 of pregnancy (n = 3). Between days 25-60 of pregnancy, staining intensity in the glandular epithelium decreased. The decrease was more apparent at the implantation site compared with the nonimplantation site. The immunostaining correlated with the synthesis of radiolabeled baboon glycodelin in explant culture. Northern blot analysis demonstrated two messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts [1.0 and 1.7 kilobases (kb)] in the baboon uterus compared with a single 1.0-kb transcript in the human, and mRNA expression was consistent with protein localization and synthesis. The protein and mRNA expression was consistently higher in the deeper glands of the functionalis and basalis during early pregnancy. Because the increased expression of glycodelin in the baboon endometrium coincided with peak levels of CG, a simulated pregnant baboon model was used to confirm hormonal regulation. Exogenous human CG (hCG) followed by estrogen and progesterone treatment in intact and ovariectomized baboons up-regulated glycodelin expression between days 18-25 postovulation (n = 10). By day 32 postovulation (n = 3), glycodelin synthesis decreased. Estrogen and progesterone treatment in the absence of exogenous hCG did not result in an increase of glycodelin synthesis. Analysis of uterine flushings from hCG-treated animals revealed that a minimum of 7 days of hCG treatment was required for glycodelin to be detectable in the uterine lumen. These studies indicate that a posttranslationally modified glycodelin homolog is synthesized by the baboon uterus during early pregnancy and appears to be regulated directly by CG. This pattern of synthesis is comparable with that observed with in vitro studies in the human. Because glycodelin expression is associated with CG secretion, we suggest that this protein may have a functional role during implantation in the primate. Thus, the baboon may serve as a nonhuman primate model to elucidate the function of this protein in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Targeting expression to the mammary gland: intronic sequences can enhance the efficiency of gene expression in transgenic mice.

We are studying the tissue-specific expression of the sheep milk-whey protein gene, beta-lactoglobulin. We have used sequences derived from this gene to target the expression of biomedical proteins into milk with the intention to exploit this technology in transgenic sheep as a means of protein production. In the present study, a series of beta-lactoglobulin hybrid genes and beta-lactoglobulin minigenes were evaluated for expression in the mammary gland of transgenic mice. In particular, we have assessed whether there is a requirement for introns for efficient transgene expression in the mammary gland, since the coding sequences of many candidate proteins are available only as cDNAs. The results suggest that the inclusion of natural introns in constructs can enhance the efficiency of transgene expression. Thus, a hybrid construct comprising 4.3 kb of the immediate 5' flanking sequences of beta-lactoglobulin fused to a genomic minigene encoding human alpha-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) was expressed much more efficiently than an alpha 1AT-cDNA construct containing the same beta-lactoglobulin segment. Similarly, the intact beta-lactoglobulin gene was expressed more efficiently than the corresponding intronless beta-lactoglobulin minigene. This effect was not seen in transient expression experiments in baby hamster kidney cells when beta-lactoglobulin-alpha 1AT constructs were driven by SV40 enhancer sequences. The effect cannot be explained by a simple requirement for splicing, since the inclusion of the first beta-lactoglobulin intron into cDNA constructs encoding human alpha 1AT or beta-lactoglobulin itself failed to enhance the efficiency of transgene expression. It is concluded that sequence elements within introns may interact with the upstream 5' flanking sequences of beta-lactoglobulin and enable the latter to function efficiently in the mammary gland of transgenic mice.

Animals↗

Effects of aqueous phase composition upon protein destabilization at water/organic solvent interface.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aqueous phase composition upon the destabilization of lactoglobulin toward emulsification. Eight different buffers were used to make aqueous lactoglobulin solutions at pH 5.6-9. Each buffer concentration varied from 20 to 60, 100, and 150 mM. After emulsification of the aqueous solutions in methylene chloride, the aqueous contents of lactoglobulin were determined by a native SEC-HPLC assay. The properties of lactoglobulin precipitates detected at the water/methylene chloride interface were assessed by SDS-PAGE experiments. Dynamic interfacial tension was also monitored to examine the interfacial adsorption of lactoglobulin. When dissolved in plain water, only 41.1+/-1.4% of lactoglobulin was recovered after emulsification. The remaining lactoglobulin became aggregated at the interface. A series of SDS-PAGE experiments demonstrated that its aggregation was driven by intermolecular covalent linkages and hydrophobic interactions. Interestingly, both the buffer type and its concentration considerably influenced the degree of lactoglobulin recovery. For instance, at 150 mM buffer concentrations, percent recovery of lactoglobulin was as low as 27.3+/-1.7%. In contrast, the degree of its recovery increased up to 89.4+/-3.9% at a 20 mM buffer concentration. The dynamic interfacial tension study substantiated that at an optimal concentration buffer species helped lactoglobulin molecules to better withstand interfacial destabilization. Therefore, choosing a suitable buffer and its concentration should deserve special attention, since they could affect the interfacial stability of a protein of interest during emulsification.

Adsorption↗

Skin localization of cow's milk proteins delivered by a new ready-to-use atopy patch test.

PURPOSE: Atopy patch tests (APTs) allow the detection of delayed allergies at the skin level. The localization of beta-lactoglobulin delivered into the skin by an innovative ready-to-use APT (E-patch was investigated and the efficacy and safety of this device were assessed. METHODS: The E-patch containing beta-lactoglobulin was placed for 24 h in contact with hairless rat skin mounted in a Franz diffusion cell. Transdermal passage was monitored by measurement of beta-lactoglobulin A-[methyl-(14)C] or by two-site enzyme immunoassay. An iterative skin stripping allowed measurement of the beta-lactoglobulin penetrating the first external skin layers. RESULTS: After 24 h, 92% of beta-lactoglobulin remained on the skin. The iterative skin strippings showed a 135-fold higher concentration of beta-lactoglobulin in the stratum corneum than that found in the epidermis-dermis. Analysis of the solution in the receiver compartment by radioactivity assays or immunoassays indicates that intact protein did not cross the skin. CONCLUSIONS: The E-patch system allows native beta-lactoglobulin to concentrate in the stratum corneum, in the vicinity of immunological cells, but does not lead to its systemic delivery. Therefore, it is suggested that this delivery system creates ideal conditions for promoting a positive topical response with reduced risk of systemic anaphylactic reactions caused by the native form of the beta-lactoglobulin A.

Animals↗

The effect of stabilizers and denaturants on the cold denaturation temperatures of proteins and implications for freeze-drying.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of stabilizers and denaturants on the thermal and cold denaturation temperatures of selected proteins in systems of interest to freeze-drying. METHODS: Beta-lactoglobulin and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) were chosen as model proteins. Protein thermal and cold denaturation temperatures were determined by both conventional and modulated differential scanning calorimetry and verified by tryptophan emission spectroscopy in selected systems. RESULTS: The cold denaturation of beta-lactoglobulin was reversible, whereas the thermal denaturation was only reversible at high scanning rate (10 degrees C/min). The cold denaturation temperatures of beta-lactoglobulin decreased with an increase in protein concentration (self-stabilization). The cold denaturation temperature increased with increases in pH (from pH 2 to 7) with about 4.6 degrees C increase per unit pH change. All stabilizers studied (i.e., sucrose, trehalose and glycerol) increased the thermal denaturation temperature of the proteins studied and decreased the cold denaturation temperature. The effect of sucrose in decreasing the PGK cold denaturation temperature [40 degrees C per molar concentration increase (40 degrees C/M)] was of the same magnitude as for beta-lactoglobulin (36 degrees C/M). The effect of stabilizers on cold denaturation temperatures is much greater than the effect on thermal denaturation temperatures. With sucrose, the beta-lactoglobulin thermal denaturation temperature increases only about 5 degrees C from 0 to 2.7 M, whereas the decrease in cold denaturation temperature was more than 35 degrees C even at sucrose concentrations as low as 0.9 M. Denaturants (urea and guanidine hydrochloride) increased the cold denaturation temperatures of proteins and thereby destabilized protein; the magnitudes were 9 degrees C/M (urea on Tcd of beta-lactoglobulin) and 65 degrees C/M (guanidine hydrochloride on PGK) compared with literature data of 16 degrees C/M (guanidine hydrochloride on beta-lactoglobulin). The cold denaturation temperatures of beta-lactoglobulin and PGK extrapolated to zero concentration of denaturants were -14 and -26 degrees C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The protein cold denaturation temperature was pH-, protein concentration-, and additive-dependent. Stabilizers, such as sugars and/or polyols, can stabilize both protein thermal and cold denaturation, whereas the denaturants destabilize protein cold denaturation. The stabilization effect on protein cold denaturation is much larger than on thermal denaturation, a result of great importance in protein freeze-drying.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Neuroimmune interactions: role for cholinergic neurons in intestinal anaphylaxis.

The role of cholinergic neurons in mediating chloride secretion in anaphylaxis was assessed in muscle-stripped segments of distal colon from guinea pigs immunized to bovine milk. beta-Lactoglobulin evoked a concentration-dependent increase in short-circuit current (Isc) in immune, but not nonimmune, tissues. The Isc response to beta-lactoglobulin was reduced by piroxicam, pyrilamine, and cimetidine. Tetrodotoxin and atropine reduced the Isc response to beta-lactoglobulin in immune animals, whereas mecamylamine and ICS 205-930 were ineffective. beta-Lactoglobulin evoked a concentration-dependent increase in acetylcholine (ACh) release in immune, but not nonimmune, animals. In immune tissues after challenge with beta-lactoglobulin, ACh release paralleled the change in Isc. Piroxicam, cimetidine plus pyrilamine, or a combination of piroxicam, cimetidine, and pyrilamine significantly reduced the release of ACh after beta-lactoglobulin challenge. Histamine, dimaprit, and prostaglandins E2 evoked an increase in ACh release. These results suggest that beta-lactoglobulin releases prostaglandins and histamine probably from mast cells. Secretory responses that occur when immune animals are challenged with beta-lactoglobulin result, in part, from activation of cholinergic neurons that utilize muscarinic synapses for transfer of signals to the epithelium.

Acetylcholine↗

New genetic variants identified in donkey's milk whey proteins.

Novel genetic variants for donkey milk lysozyme and beta-lactoglobulins I and II have been identified by the combined use of peptide mass mapping and sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry in association with database searching. The novel donkey lysozyme variant designated as lysozyme B (Mr 14,631 Da) differed in three amino acid exchanges, N49 --> D, Y52 --> S, and S61 --> N, from the previously published sequence. Three novel genetic variants for donkey beta-lactoglobulins were identified. One of them is a type beta-lactoglobulin I with three amino acid exchanges at E36 --> S, S97 --> T, and V150 --> I (beta-lactoglobulin I B, Mr 18,510 Da). The two others are type beta-lactoglobulins II with two amino acid exchanges at C110 --> P and M118--> T (beta-lactoglobulin II B, Mr 18,227 Da) and with three amino acid exchanges at D96 --> E, C110 --> P, and M118 -->T (beta-lactoglobulin II C, Mr 18,241 Da). All these primary structures are closely related to those of homologous proteins in horse milk (percent identity >96%).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Allergen-induced cytokine secretion in relation to atopic symptoms and immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G subclass antibody responses.

There are few studies on allergen-induced cytokine production in allergic children, and little is known of antigen-specific cytokine regulation of human immunoglobulin (Ig) G subclass antibody responses. An association with T-helper 1 (Th1)-like immunity and complement-activating antibodies remains to be demonstrated in humans. We have previously observed that atopic symptoms are associated with high levels of IgG subclass, especially IgG4, antibodies to birch and beta-lactoglobulin. The differences were seen early in life for the food allergen and increased with age for the inhaled allergen. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between atopic symptoms, birch allergen-, and beta-lactoglobulin-induced cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and serum IgE and IgG subclass antibody responses to these allergens in children in order to further clarify the role of Th1- and Th2-like immunity in responses to various antigens. PBMC from 55 eight-year old children, who had been followed prospectively from birth, were stimulated with birch- and beta-lactoglobulin. Production of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon (IFN)-gamma was analysed by ELISA and expression of IL-4 and IL-9 mRNA by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IgG subclass antibody levels to birch- and beta-lactoglobulin in serum were determined by ELISA, and IgE antibodies by Magic-Lite and CAP-RAST, respectively. Birch-induced expression of IL-4, but not of the other cytokines, was associated with IgE antibodies to birch. Furthermore, the IL-4 expression and IL-6 production correlated with serum IgG4 antibody levels to this allergen, and IFN-gamma secretion with IgG1 antibody responses. There were no correlations between beta-lactoglobulin-stimulated cytokine production and IgG subclass antibody levels to that allergen, except for a negative association between beta-lactoglobulin-stimulated IL-4 expression and IgG1 antibodies. Atopic children tended to have high levels of birch and beta-lactoglobulin-induced IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion. Birch-induced IL-4 expression may be the major factor in determining IgE antibody formation to that allergen, while allergen-induced IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion in PBMC is associated with atopic symptoms. Th1-like immunity to inhaled allergens could be associated with production of the opsonizing and complement-activating IgG1 antibody subclass, and Th2-like immunity with IgG4 antibody responses.

Allergens↗