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Complement activation and cytokine response by BioProtein, a bacterial single cell protein
L I B Sikkeland1, E B Thorgersen, T Haug
1Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, N-0027 Oslo, Norway. liv.sikkeland@rikshospitalet.no
Bacterial single cell protein (BSCP) triggers significant complement activation and cytokine release in vitro, suggesting potent inflammatory properties. This finding is crucial for understanding potential health risks in workers exposed to BSCP, such as BioProtein.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Bacterial single cell protein (BSCP), like BioProtein derived from Methylococcus capsulatus, is used in animal feed.
- Workers in the BSCP industry report pulmonary and systemic symptoms potentially linked to inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro inflammatory effects of BSCP.
- To evaluate BSCP's impact on complement activation and cytokine production.
Main Methods:
- Human serum incubated with BSCP to measure complement activation via ELISA.
- Human whole blood incubated with BSCP to quantify 27 mediators using multiplex technology.
Main Results:
- BSCP induced dose-dependent complement activation across all pathways (alternative, terminal, lectin, classical).
- Significant increases in cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) and chemokines were observed at low BSCP doses.
- BSCP demonstrated potent inflammatory properties in vitro.
Conclusions:
- BSCP activates all three initial complement pathways.
- BSCP provokes a substantial cytokine response in vitro.
- These findings highlight the inflammatory potential of BSCP, relevant to occupational health in the feed industry.
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