Small Molecule Lactoferrin with an Inflammatory Effect But No Apparent Antibacterial Activity in Mastitic Mammary Gland Secretion

Abstract

ABSTRACT. We have identified various lactoferrin (Lf) molecules in mastitic mammary gland secretions (MGSs), and these Lf molecules were examined for their physiological function in MG. These Lf molecules were isolated by Con A affinity chromatography, and then analyzed by various electrophoresis methods and N-terminal amino acid sequencing. The low Con A affinity Lf was found to have low molecular peptides as compared with the 86 kDa of the high Con A affinity Lf, which is usually detected in healthy MGSs. The Nterminal amino acid sequence of each of the small molecular Lfs were confirmed as fragments of 86 kDa Lf. This low Con A affinity Lf stimulated spleen adherent cells to produce more O 2 -than 86 kDa Lf. Furthermore, the low Con A affinity Lf showed low antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, and had decreased iron-binding capacity in comparison with 86 kDa Lf. Moreover, the 86 kDa Lf could stimulate bovine T cells or macrophages to produce IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-1α. However low Con A affinity Lf induced the production of TNFα, but not physiological T cell or macrophage cytokines. It was also found that when the healthy MGs of dry cows were injected with the low Con A affinity Lf, there was an increase in polymorphonuclear cells together with TNFα, MCP-1, and IL-8 production. These results suggested that low Con A affinity Lf in mastitic MGSs differed from 86 kDa Lf in physiological characteristics, and, that it induced an inflammatory reaction in MGs. KEY WORDS: concanavalin A, lactoferrin, mammary gland secretion, mastitis.

Haemolytic and proteolytic activity of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from mastitis cows

“…In inflammations, including cow mastitis, the level of proteins (lactoferrin and transferrin) binding this element increases significantly, thus reducing its availability (Weinberg 1986, Komine et al 2005, Chaneton et al 2008. In response to environmentally limited access to iron, staphylococci have developed mechanisms enabling them to uptake this relevant constituent, e.g.…”

Transgenic Cows That Produce Recombinant Human Lactoferrin in Milk Are Not Protected from Experimental Escherichia coli Intramammary Infection

“…The milk bLf concentration depends on the severity of the infection. The greatest increase in bLf concentration has been seen for acute coliform mastitis, whereas for subclinical mastitis much lower bLf values are detected (25,29). In all studies, great individual variations in bLf concentration between cows have been reported.…”

Effect of Combination Therapy with Lactoferrin and Antibiotics against Staphylococcal Mastitis on Drying Cows

“…On the other hand, we found the concanavalin A (Con A) low-affinity Lf molecules in staphylococcal mastitic MGSs during lactation and the early dry period [20]. The Con A low-affinity Lf is a small molecule of 37 kDa, and it shows a decreasing antibacterial effect and chelating of the iron ion [20]. Moreover, Con A low-affinity Lf has inflammatory effects and induces inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, superoxide and leukocyte infiltration into the bovine mammary gland [20].…”

“…On the other hand, we found the concanavalin A (Con A) low-affinity Lf molecules in staphylococcal mastitic MGSs during lactation and the early dry period [20]. The Con A low-affinity Lf is a small molecule of 37 kDa, and it shows a decreasing antibacterial effect and chelating of the iron ion [20].…”