High level expression of functionally active human lactoferrin in silkworm larvae

In this paper, recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) was expressed very well using Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis baculovirus expression system. Infection of silkworm larvae with recombinant virus, vBm-hLf, the rhLf was efficiently secreted into larvae hemolymph and the concentration of product purified was about 65 microg/ml. The isolated rhLf molecular mass was approximately 78 kDa, lower than that of the human lactoferrin (hLf) standards, which may be due to incomplete glycosylation or protein degradation. Furthermore, the rhLf was characterized and its biological activities were evaluated by in vivo bioassay using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model that mimics some characteristics of colitis disease in human. We conclude that silkworm expression system can be used successfully to express functional human lactoferrin.     

High-yield production of functional human lactoferrin in transgenic cell cultures of siberian ginseng (Acanthopanax senticosus)

Human lactoferrin (hLf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that has been considered to play many biological roles in the human, including the stimulation of the immune system, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, and regulation of iron absorption. We generated transgenic Siberian ginseng (Acanthopanax senticosus) cell cultures producing a functional hLf protein using the signal peptide sequence from the endoplasmic reticulum and driven by an oxidative stress-inducibleSWPA2 promoter which is highly expressed in plant cell cultures. The production of hLf increased proportionally to cell growth and showed a maximal level (up to 3.6% of total soluble protein) at the stationary phase in suspension cultures. Full-length hLf protein was identified by immunoblot analysis in transgenic cell cultures of Siberian ginseng. Recombinant hLf (rhLf) was purified from suspension cells of Siberian ginseng by ammonium sulfate precipitation, cation-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. N-terminal sequences of rhLf were identical to native hLf (nhLf). The overall monosaccharide composition of rhLf showed the presence of plant specific xylose while sialic acid is absent. Antibacterial activity of purified rhLf was higher than that of nhLf. Taken together, we anticipate that medicinal Siberian ginseng cultured cells, as demonstrated by this study, will be a biotechnologically useful source for commercial production of functional hLf not requiring further purification.     

Expression of active recombinant human lactoferrin in the milk of transgenic goats

This report details the establishment of a transgenic goat model in order to produce human lactoferrin (hLf) in the mammary gland for large-scale application and research. Two transgenic male goats were generated by microinjecting sequence encoding hLf cDNA to the pronuclear. In the two lines, derived from the two founders, eight lactating female goats could secrete recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) at concentrations of up to 0.765 mg/ml. The method of purifying the rhLf from the milk was achieved using ion-exchange chromatography and resulted in 97% purity. Biochemical and physicochemical characteristics of rhLf were similar to native lactoferrin (nhLf); this included N-terminal sequence, isoelectric point, molecular mass, glycosylation, iron-binding/releasing ability, thermal stability, and proteolysis. The rhLf showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity inhibiting the growth of several pathogenic bacterial strains. Also investigated, although to a lesser degree, was a practicable pasteurization method for the downstream processing of rhLf and, further, a method for the oral administration of rhLf. On the basis of these results, our studies show an optimistic and promising approach for the large-scale production and therapeutic application of rhLf expressed in transgenic goats.     

Human and bovine lactoferrins in the milk of recombinant human lactoferrin-transgenic dairy cows during lactation

Seven Friesian human lactoferrin (hLf)-transgenic primiparous dairy cows expressing recombinant hLf (rhLf) in their milk were included in the study. After calving, concentrations of rhLf and bovine LF (bLf) in the milk, somatic cell count and milk yield were determined. The concentration of rhLf was found to be constant, about 2.9 mg/mL, throughout the early lactation period of 3 months. The concentration of bLf in colostrum was higher after calving, but decreased rapidly during the first days of lactation. The mean concentration of bLf was 0.15 mg/mL, but concentrations varied between cows from 0.07 mg/mL to 0.26 mg/mL. Based on that, it may be possible to improve the non-specific host defence mechanism in the mammary gland of dairy cows by enhancing the content of rhLf in the milk.     

Differential Glycosylation of rhLf Expressed in the Mammary Gland of Transgenic Mice

Differential glycosylation of natural hLf and rhLf from hLf-transgenic mice, which harbored a 146 Kb BAC insert that includes the intact hLf gene sequence, was studied in the present report. There were significant differences between the immunoblotting results of rhLf and natural hLf, which were denatured with nonreducing SDS sample buffer. The differences disappeared after rhLf and natural hLf samples were digested with N-glycosidase F, respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.01) between the glycosylation of natural hLf and rhLf that were purified, respectively, from milk samples of seven hLf-transgenic mouse lines.     

Differential glycosylation of rhLf expressed in the mammary gland of transgenic mice

Differential glycosylation of natural hLf and rhLf from hLf-transgenic mice, which harbored a 146 Kb BAC insert that includes the intact hLf gene sequence, was studied in the present report. There were significant differences between the immunoblotting results of rhLf and natural hLf, which were denatured with nonreducing SDS sample buffer. The differences disappeared after rhLf and natural hLf samples were digested with N-glycosidase F, respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.01) between the glycosylation of natural hLf and rhLf that were purified, respectively, from milk samples of seven hLf-transgenic mouse lines.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for heat denaturation of human recombinant lactoferrin from rice

Heat denaturation of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) from rice with 3 different iron-saturation degrees, holo rhLf (iron-saturated), AsIs rhLf (60% iron saturation), and apo rhLf (iron-depleted), was studied. The 3 forms of rhLf were subjected to heat treatment, and the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the denaturation process were determined. Thermal denaturation of rhLf was assessed by measuring the loss of reactivity against specific antibodies. D(t) values (time to reduce 90% of immunoreactivity) decreased with increasing temperature of treatment for apo and holo rhLf, those values being higher for the iron-saturated form, which indicates that iron confers thermal stability to rhLf. However, AsIs rhLf showed a different behaviour with an increase in resistance to heat between 79 °C and 84 °C, so that the kinetic parameters could not be calculated. The heat denaturation process for apo and holo rhLf was best described assuming a reaction order of 1.5. The activation energy of the denaturation process was 648.20 kJ/mol for holo rhLf and 406.94 kJ/mol for apo rhLf, confirming that iron-depleted rhLf is more sensitive to heat treatment than iron-saturated rhLf.     

Glycosaminoglycans are not indispensable for the anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 activity of lactoferrin

Lactoferrin has been recognized as a potent inhibitor of human herpetic viruses, such as herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). In particular, bovine lactoferrin (bLf) has been found to prevent viral infection by binding to heparan sulphate (HS) glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that in turn can act as cell receptors for human herpetic viruses. In this study we further investigate the mechanism of inhibiting activity of both human lactoferrin (hLf) and bLf against HSV-2. The antiviral effect of these proteins towards HSV-2 strain 333 and its glycoprotein C (gC)-truncated derivative HSV-2 gC-neg1 has been tested in monkey kidney cells. Our results indicate that the antiviral activity of bLf does not involve gC-HS interaction as there was no difference in its effectiveness towards wild type and mutant virus. As regards hLf, the mutant virus HSV-2 gC-neg1 was more sensitive compared to the wild type, suggesting that the human protein might interact with some viral structures that in wild-type viruses are masked by gC. When the modulation of HSV-2 infection by bLf and hLf was investigated under different experimental conditions, the bovine protein proved more effective than the human protein. Moreover, we found that, differently from what observed with HSV-1, bLf inhibited HSV-2 plaque-forming activity also in cells devoid of GAG expression. These results suggest that bLf may block a virus receptor of non-GAG nature and add new information on the anti-herpes virus activity of this protein, confirming it as an outstanding candidate for the treatment of herpetic infections.     

Production of human lactoferrin in animal milk

Genetic constructs containing the human lactoferrin (hLf) gene were created within a joint program of Russian and Belorussian scientists. Using these constructs, transgenic mice were bred (the maximum hLf concentration in their milk was 160 g/L), and transgenic goats were also generated (up to 10 g/L hLf in their milk). Experimental goatherds that produced hLf in their milk were also bred, and the recombinant hLf was found to be identical to the natural protein in its physical and chemical properties. These properties included electrophoretic mobility, isoelectric point, recognition by polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, circular dichroic spectra, interaction with natural ligands (DNA, lipopolysaccharides, and heparin), the binding of iron ions, the sequence of the 7 terminal amino acids, and its biological activity. The latter was assessed by the agglutination of Micrococcus luteus protoplasts, bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes , and fungicidal activity against Candida albicans . We also demonstrated a significant increase in the activity of antibiotics when used in combination with Lf.     

Non-reducing terminal fucose within N-linked glycan plays a significant role in the recognition of human milk lactoferrin by the 1CF11 monoclonal antibody

We have recently demonstrated that the 1CF11 monoclonal antibody bound human milk lactoferrin (hLf) through the recognition of two distinct portions of the molecule, namely the N-glycan-relevant and -irrelevant structural elements. In this present study, we prepared four immunoreactive peptide fractions containing N-linked glycan from tryptic digests of reduced and alkylated hLf by using a concanavalin A lectin column and reverse-phase HPLC. Deglycosylation of these fractions and a competitive binding assay using fucosylated oligosaccharides revealed that the non-reducing terminal fucose residue in N-linked glycan(s) played a significant role in recognizing the N-glycan-relevant element in hLf by 1CF11.     

Liposomes as possible carriers for lactoferrin in the local treatment of inflammatory diseases

Liposomes prepared from naturally occurring biodegradable and nontoxic lipids are good candidates for local delivery of therapeutic agents. Treatment of arthritis by intra-articular administration of anti-inflammatory drugs encapsulated in liposomes prolongs the residence time of the drug in the joint. We have previously shown that intra-articular injection of human lactoferrin (hLf), a glycoprotein that possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, into mice with collagen-induced arthritis reduces inflammation. We have now investigated the possibility of using liposome-entrapped hLf as a delivery system to prolong hLf retention at sites of local inflammation such as the rheumatoid joint. Entrapment of hLf in negatively charged liposomes enhanced its accumulation in cultured human synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, compared with positively charged formulations or free protein. However, in the presence of synovial fluid, positively charged liposomes with entrapped hLf were more stable than the negatively charged formulations. In vivo experiments in mice with collagen-induced arthritis showed that the positive liposomes were more efficient in prolonging the residence time of hLf in the inflamed joint as compared with other liposomes. Thus, the amount of hLf retained in the joint after 2 hr was 60% of the injected dose in the case of positive liposomes and only 16% for negative pH-sensitive liposomes. The results suggest that entrapment of hLf in positively charged liposomes may modify its pharmacodynamic profile and be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of RA and other local inflammatory conditions.     

The binding of lactoferrin to glycosaminoglycans on enterocyte-like HT29-18-C1 cells is mediated through basic residues located in the N-terminus

Although lactoferrins (Lfs) isolated from milk of various mammals exhibit a close structural relationship, they show species-specific binding to cells. To define the specificity of recognition of human (hLf), bovine (bLf) and murine (mLf) lactoferrin by human intestinal cells, we analysed the binding of the three proteins to a subclone derived from human carcinoma cell line HT29. We observed that hLf and bLf interact with two types of binding sites (K_d: 63±22 nM; 0.7±0.2 μM) while mLf was recognized only by the lowest affinity binding sites with a lower number of binding sites. Using N-terminal deleted human Lf variants, we found that the sequence G¹RRRR⁵ is mainly responsible for the interactions with HT29 cells. Lactoferrin-binding sites on the surface of HT29 cells were further identified as heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate glycosaminoglycans. We conclude that the presence of the sequence A¹PRK⁴ in bLf and K¹ATT⁴ in mLf provides an insight into why the interaction of bLf with cell membrane-associated glycosaminoglycans is similar to that of hLf and why binding of these lactoferrin species differs from that of murine Lf.     

Surface display of human lactoferrin using a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

A cell surface display system was developed in Pichia pastoris using the gene TIP1, encoding the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScTIP). Human lactoferrin cDNA (hLf) was fused to a full-length TIP1 DNA (ScTIP ₆₃₀ ) or a short-TIP1 fragment (ScTIP ₁₂₀ ) encoding the 40 C-terminal amino acids of ScTIP. Both hLf-ScTIP fusion genes were expressed in P. pastoris SMD 1168. The fused protein was detected by western blotting after extraction of the lysed recombinant cells with Triton X-100, urea, and Triton X-100 plus urea, suggesting that the hLf is associated with the membrane. The localization of surface-displayed hLf was confirmed by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and flow cytometric analysis using FITC-labeled anti-hLf antibody, suggesting that hLf was successfully located at the surface of P. pastoris. The intact recombinant cells and cell lysates showed antibacterial activity against target microorganisms, meaning that the expressed hLf was biologically active. The results indicated that the ScTIP anchoring motif is useful for cell surface display of foreign proteins in P. pastoris.     

Non-Reducing Terminal Fucose within N-Linked Glycan Plays a Significant Role in the Recognition of Human Milk Lactoferrin by the 1CF11 Monoclonal Antibody

We have recently demonstrated that the 1CF11 monoclonal antibody bound human milk lactoferrin (hLf) through the recognition of two distinct portions of the molecule, namely the N-glycan-relevant and -irrelevant structural elements. In this present study, we prepared four immunoreactive peptide fractions containing N-linked glycan from tryptic digests of reduced and alkylated hLf by using a concanavalin A lectin column and reverse-phase HPLC. Deglycosylation of these fractions and a competitive binding assay using fucosylated oligosaccharides revealed that the non-reducing terminal fucose residue in N-linked glycan(s) played a significant role in recognizing the N-glycan-relevant element in hLf by 1CF11.     

Role of lactoferrin and its receptors on biliary epithelium

Human lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present at high concentrations in breast milk and colostrum. It is produced by many exocrine glands and widely distributed in a variety of body fluids. This protein has antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Two important hLf receptors have been identified: LDL receptor related protein (LRP1), a low specificity receptor, and intelectin-1 (ITLN1), a high specificity receptor. No data are present on the role of hLf on the biliary epithelium. Our aims have been to evaluate the expression of Lf and its receptors in human and murine cholangiocytes and its effect on proliferation. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence (IF) were conducted on human healthy and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) liver samples as well as on liver samples obtained from normal and bile duct ligated (BDL) mice to evaluate the expression of Lf, LRP1 and ITLN1. Cell proliferation in vitro studies were performed on human cholangiocyte cell lines via 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium assay as well as IF to evaluate proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Our results show that mouse and human cholangiocytes express Lf, LRP1 and ITLN1, at higher extent in cholangiocytes from BDL and PBC samples. Furthermore, the in vitro addition of bovine Lf (bLf) has a proliferative effect on human cholangiocyte cell line. The results support a proliferative role of hLf on the biliary epithelium; this pro-proliferative effect of hLf and bLf on cholangiocytes could be particularly relevant in human cholangiopathies such as PBC, characterized by cholangiocyte death and ductopenia.     

创建可视化的家蚕杆状病毒表达系统表达家蚕二分浓核病毒非结构蛋白NS1

重组杆状病毒感染昆虫细胞是表达外源蛋白常用的一种方法。为有效鉴定转染的细胞中是否产生了重组病毒粒子,对质粒pFastBacI进行改造,构建了极早期基因ie1启动子控制的绿色荧光蛋白egfp基因表达盒,以及多角体基因启动子控制的外源DNA的一个通用型双表达载体;通过酶切、连接的方式,将家蚕二分浓核病毒ns1基因连接到多角体启动子下游;在转座酶的介导下,该供体质粒上部分序列可转座到穿梭载体Bm-Bacmid上,进而构建可同时表达egfp和ns1基因的重组杆粒。将构建的该重组杆粒DNA转染BmN细胞,通过观察可视化的绿色荧光信号,可迅速判定转染后的细胞中重组病毒粒子产生的情况,收集转染后的细胞培养上清,将其感染BmN细胞,对感染4 d后的细胞总蛋白进行Western blotting分析,结果表明能杂交到一条36 kDa大小的特异蛋白,表明NS1蛋白成功获得了表达,进而为深入研究ns1基因的功能奠定了基础。     

The N1 domain of human lactoferrin is required for internalization by caco-2 cells and targeting to the nucleus

Human lactoferrin (hLf) has been shown to interact with cells from the Caco-2 human small intestinal cell line. There currently is little information about the molecular details of its interaction. As a first step toward detailed characterization of this interaction, we used a series of Lf chimeras to analyze which part of Lf is responsible for the interaction with Caco-2 cells. Recombinant chimeric proteins consisting of segments of hLf and bovine transferrin (bTf) were produced in a baculovirus-insect cell system and purified by a combination of cation exchange chromatography and immobilized bTf antibody affinity chromatography. Each chimera was labeled with a green fluorescent dye to monitor its interaction with Caco-2 cells. Similarly, the intestinal Lf receptor (LfR), also known as intelectin, was probed with an anti-LfR antibody that was detected with a secondary antibody conjugated with a red-color fluorescent dye. The results demonstrated that chimeric proteins containing the N-lobe or the N1.1 subdomain of Lf bound as well as intact Lf to Caco-2 cells. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that these proteins, along with the LfR, were internalized and targeted to the nucleus. These results indicate that the N1.1 subdomain of hLf is sufficient for binding, internalization, and targeting to the nucleus of Caco-2 cells.     

Expression and identification of mutated osteoprotegerin in culture cells and larvae of silkworm

Osteoprotegerin (OPG, or osteoclastogenesis inhibitoryfactor, OCIF) is a soluble member of the tumor-necrosisfactor receptor family discovered in 1997 that can inhibitosteoclastogenesis and prevent bone loss from resorption.Simonet et al. [1] reported tha…     

Lactoferrin inhibits the binding of lipopolysaccharides to L-selectin and subsequent production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils

The activation of leukocytes by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), resulting in the oxidative burst, contributes to the pathogenesis of septic shock. The binding of LPS to L-selectin, which was reported as a serum-independent LPS receptor on neutrophils, induces the production of oxygen free radicals. Human lactoferrin (hLf), an anti-inflammatory glycoprotein released from neutrophil granules during infection, binds to LPS. In this study, we investigated the capacity of hLf to inhibit the L-selectin-mediated activation of neutrophils. Our experiments revealed that hLf prevents the binding of LPS to L-selectin in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition was maximum (87.7+/-0.5%) at a concentration of 50 microg/ml of hLf. Furthermore, hLf inhibited up to 55.4+/-0.5% of the intracellular hydrogen peroxide production induced by LPS in neutrophils. These findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of hLf are due, at least in part, to their ability to prevent the binding of LPS to neutrophil L-selectin.     

家蚕表达人表皮生长因子gp67信号肽融合蛋白及生物活性的研究

人表皮生长因子(hEGF), 一种由53个氨基酸残基组成的单链多肽, 具有广阔的应用前景。本文主要探讨家蚕表达人表皮生长因子gp67信号肽融合蛋白的生物活性。采用家蚕杆状病毒表达系统来表达该信号肽融合蛋白。构建了重组质粒pBacPAKS-hEGF, 将该重组质粒与线性化病毒Bm-BacPAK6 DNA共转染家蚕细胞, 筛选获得重组病毒vBacPAK-SEGF, 用vBacPAK-SEGF感染家蚕BmN细胞和五龄蚕, Western blot检测表明在家蚕细胞、五岭幼虫的血淋巴和蛹中均有约12 kD的目的蛋白表达。ELISA检测发现在家蚕细胞中的表达量为23 mg/ 106细胞, 五龄幼虫中的表达量可达到82 mg/mL血淋巴。利用小鼠成纤维细胞Balb/c3T3分析家蚕表达的hEGF信号肽融合蛋白的生物活性, 结果表明表达产物能显著促进Balb/c3T3细胞的增值。另外, 研究还发现hEGF信号肽融合蛋白可使新生ICR小鼠体重增 加, 睁眼和萌齿时间提前。本研究为进一步开发利用家蚕表达的hEGF提供理论基础。