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Neutrophil lactoferrin content: variation among mammals
J C Barton1, R T Parmley, T W Butler
1Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35233.
The Anatomical Record
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Neutrophil lactoferrin (Lf) levels vary significantly across mammalian species, with carnivores and primates showing higher amounts. The FeNTA-AF technique offers a quick method for assessing these Lf levels in neutrophils.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Comparative Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding protein found in neutrophils.
- Quantifying Lf levels across species is crucial for understanding its diverse biological roles.
- Previous methods for Lf quantification in neutrophils were limited in scope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To semiquantify lactoferrin (Lf) levels in neutrophils across various mammalian species.
- To compare Lf levels with neutrophil iron-binding reactivity (NFeBR).
- To evaluate the utility of the FeNTA-AF technique for Lf assessment.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence was used to quantify Lf in neutrophils from nine mammalian species.
- Functional cytochemical (FeNTA-AF) technique was employed to visualize and semiquantify NFeBR in 24 mammalian species.
- SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting confirmed Lf levels in specific species.
Main Results:
- Neutrophil immunoreactive Lf positively correlated with NFeBR and previously reported Lf concentrations.
- Carnivores and primates exhibited relatively high levels of neutrophil Lf and NFeBR.
- Rodents showed variable levels, while artiodactyls had low levels.
Conclusions:
- Neutrophil Lf levels exhibit significant interspecies variation among mammals.
- The FeNTA-AF technique is a rapid and effective method for evaluating relative neutrophil Lf quantities.
- Findings provide insights into the evolutionary distribution of Lf in mammalian neutrophils.