An immunohistochemical localization of transferrin binding protein in the chicken respiratory tract

Transferrin binding protein (TfBP), a glycoprotein, is originally purified from the chicken oviduct. Recently, TfBP has been revealed as a novel transferrin binding protein, structurally related to the chicken heat shock protein 108. The physiological function of this protein, however, has not yet been established. Antiserum to TfBP was found to stain selectively transferrin- and iron-rich oligodendrocytes of the normal chicken brain, suggesting a role for this protein in connection with transferrin and iron storage in these cells. In this study, we further demonstrate a TfBP-immunoreactivity in the chicken respiratory tract mucosa, where transferrin is known to be present and have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. A strong TfBP immunoreactivity was revealed in certain regions of the respiratory tract. In the trachea and bronchi, TfBP-immunoreactive product was localized specifically to the mucous gland cells, whereas ciliated epithelial cells were negative. In the lung, TfBP immunoreactivity was mostly confined to the parabronchi and atria. The immunoreactive products were found in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells lining the parabronchial and atrial walls. These findings suggest that the presence of TfBP in the airway mucosa may be a necessary condition for transferrin concentration in the extracellular milieu of the respiratory tract.