Isolation and purification of bovine myeloperoxidase from neutrophil granules

Essential Protective Role of Catalytically Active Antibodies (Abzymes) with Redox Antioxidant Functions in Animals and Humans

During the life of aerobic organisms, the oxygen resulting from numerous reactions is converted into reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many ROS are dangerous due to their high reactivity; they are strong oxidants, and react with various cell components, leading to their damage. To protect against ROS overproduction, enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems are evolved in aerobic cells. Several known non-enzymatic antioxidants have a relatively low specific antioxidant activity. Superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, thioredoxin, and the peroxiredoxin families are the most important enzyme antioxidants. Artificial antibodies catalyzing redox reactions using different approaches have been created. During the past several decades, it has been shown that the blood and various biological fluids of humans and animals contain natural antibodies that catalyze different redox reactions, such as classical enzymes. This review, for the first time, summarizes data on existing non-enzymatic antioxidants, canonical enzymes, and artificial or natural antibodies (abzymes) with redox functions. Comparing abzymes with superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxide-dependent peroxidase, and H₂O₂-independent oxidoreductase activities with the same activities as classical enzymes was carried out. The features of abzymes with the redox activities are described, including their exceptional diversity in the optimal pH values, dependency and independence on various metal ions, and the reaction rate constants for healthy donors and patients with different autoimmune diseases. The entire body of evidence indicates that abzymes with redox antioxidant activities existing in the blood for a long time compared to enzymes are an essential part of the protection system of humans and animals from oxidative stress.

A Comparative Study on Changes in Total and Differential Milk Cell Counts, Activity, and Expression of Milk Phagocytes of Healthy and Mastitic Indigenous Sahiwal Cows

Milk somatic cell counts (SCCs) have been used as a gold standard to monitor mammary health as well as an indicator of raw milk quality. The present work was undertaken to compare the changes in the milk SCC, milk differential leukocyte counts (DLCs), phagocytic activity (PA) of milk neutrophils and macrophages (by nitroblue tetrazolium assay), extracellular trap formation (PicoGreen assay) and mRNA expression of various genes in milk neutrophils and macrophages (reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction), and milk plasma cortisol concentration (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in healthy, subclinical mastitis (SCM), and clinical mastitis (CM) cows. Milk was collected from healthy, SCM, and CM cows grouped based on their SCCs and California mastitis test with eight cows in each group. Milk SCC was estimated by SCC counter, and DLC was done after staining the milk slide under a microscope at 100×. Total SCCs in healthy, SCM, and CM cows were on an average of 128.30, 300.3, and 694.40 × 10³ cells/mL, respectively. Milk DLCs indicated a lower percentage of macrophage and lymphocytes and a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of neutrophils in SCM and CM compared to healthy milk. The percentage of mature segmented neutrophils was lower, whereas immature band neutrophils were higher (p < 0.05) in the SCM and CM groups as compared to healthy cows. The viability, in vitro PA, and extracellular trap formation of neutrophils were lower (p < 0.05) in SCM and CM milk samples as compared to healthy samples. However, the PA of macrophage remained unchanged in all the studied groups. The relative mRNA expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR4), myeloperoxidase, and interleukin 2α (IL-2α) receptor (CD25) were minimum in healthy samples and increased (p < 0.05) with the progress of mammary inflammation. However, CD44 decreased (p < 0.05), and CD62L remained unchanged in mastitis as compared to healthy cows. Plasma cortisol concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in mastitis as compared to healthy cows and were negatively correlated with the number of milk macrophages and the functions of milk phagocytes. Estimation of total SCC, milk DLC, and activity of milk phagocytes is essential for effective control and prevention of incidence of mastitis in dairy cows.

Peripartum changes in the activity and expression of neutrophils may predispose to the postpartum occurrence of metritis in dairy cows

Metritis is a postpartum uterine pathology that causes a huge economic loss due to increased culling risk and impaired milk yield and reproduction in cows. The present study was carried out to study the changes in the activity and expression of blood neutrophils in crossbred dairy cows with and without metritis. Collection of blood samples was done at -3, -2 and - 1 weeks before calving, at calving and during the first day of metritis diagnosis in metritis group (n = 8) or at day 8-10 post calving in healthy group (n = 8). Neutrophils were studied for its percentage (microscopically), respiratory burst (nitro blue tetrazolium assay), myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations (sandwich ELISA) and expression of CXCR1, CXCR2, TLR2, TLR4, GRα, CD11b, CD14, CD25, CD44, CD47 and CD62L (RT-PCR). Immunocytochemistry was used to investigate MPO concentration and CD14 activity, and western blotting was used for estimating MPO. Although most of these parameters changed in the cows that developed metritis one week before calving, MPO and CD14 got altered much earlier. Myeloperoxidase concentrations and expression of CD14 were considerably lower starting from -2 weeks before calving in cows that developed metritis compared to healthy cows. Further studies are warranted to study the possible use of MPO and CD14 to identify transition cows more vulnerable to develop metritis several weeks before disease occurrence.

Sensitive and rapid lateral-flow assay for early detection of subclinical mammary infection in dairy cows

Detection of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in its initial stage can save great economic losses, improve milk quality and animal welfare. We have developed a semiquantitative lateral flow assay for the detection of SCM in dairy cows targeting myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme of milk neutrophils. A competitive immunoassay format was used, and colloidal gold nanoparticles (GNP) were prepared and used as a labelling agent. Monoclonal anti-MPO antibodies were used and assessed for its quality by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dot blot. Conjugation method for GNP and anti-MPO antibodies was standardised, and the conjugate was placed over the conjugate pad. MPO coupled with a carrier protein (OVA) and the species-specific secondary antibodies were placed on test and control lines, respectively. The developed assay was verified with 75 milk samples collected from healthy, SCM and clinical mastitis cows. It displayed a high sensitivity as it could detect MPO as low as 1.5 ng/ml, an accuracy greater than 97% and showed no crossreactivity when crosschecked with other milk proteins. The developed assay can be used as an alternative for SCM diagnostic tests where lab structure are available for obtaining the lysate of milk SCC.

Presence of melatonin-catabolizing non-specific enzymes myeloperoxidase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the ram reproductive tract

The melatonin catabolism is very complex and not completely understood. Melatonin can be metabolized by free radical interaction, but also pseudo-enzymatically or by enzymatic pathways. We have previously detected the existence of melatonin-synthesizing enzymes and melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 in the ram reproductive tract; thus, in order to start to elucidate melatonin catabolism in these organs, we have investigated the presence of the melatonin-catabolizing enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO, both IDO1 and IDO2 isoforms) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in testis, epididymis and accessory glands. Gene expression analyses by real-time PCR showed the presence of MPO, IDO1 and IDO2 in all the organs of the ram reproductive tract and revealed that MPO is the main melatonin-catabolizing enzyme, which is mainly expressed in the testis and the bulbourethral glands (p < .05). These results were further corroborated by immunohistochemical staining, and by Western blot. Likewise, MPO was also evidenced in epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot. In conclusion, melatonin-catabolizing enzymes MPO, IDO1 and IDO2 are expressed in the ram reproductive tract, and MPO is the most expressed one, mainly in the testis and the bulbourethral glands. The presented results warrant further studies on the function of these enzymes and their melatonin-metabolizing activity.

Distinct neutrophil C5a receptor inflammatory events in cows initiated by chemoattractant C5a and lipopolysaccharide around parturition and in mid lactation

In neutrophils, toll-like receptor and complement component 5a (C5a) signaling are critical pathways regulating innate immunity. In cows, not much is known about the second C5a receptor, complement component 5a receptor 2 (C5AR2). It is an interesting player in sepsis treatment because it is considered to have an anti-inflammatory effect during normal inflammation. Periparturient cows are prone to severe infections, and the objectives of this study were to investigate the expression and functionality of C5AR2 during peripartum. We investigated the effect of 2 major inflammatory stimuli, C5a and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), on the expression of a selected number of genes (C5AR1, C5AR2, TLR4, ITGAM, COX2, and CXCL8) and functions linked to these receptors. Overall, TLR4, ITGAM, and C5AR2, all of which are involved in early inflammation, showed a lower expression in periparturient cows. However, an overall lower expression seems not to be the only explanation for the increased risk of sepsis in periparturient cows. Normally, in response to inflammation and as seen in the mid-lactation group, the expression of these genes increases after stimulation with LPS. However, in periparturient cows, stimulation with LPS led to a decrease in expression of these receptors, indicating a different response of neutrophils in response to LPS during this period. A decrease in ITGAM (coding for CD11b) expression complicates correct neutrophil localization and phagocytosis. Its downregulation upon stimulation might be detrimental for adequate eradication of the pathogen and might increase the risk of an imbalanced inflammation; C5AR2 seems to play a central role in this altered response. In addition, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in periparturient cows is lower in response to C5a stimulation. It has been suggested that MPO plays an important role in neutrophil shutdown and, thereby, timely resolution of inflammation. A decreased MPO activity might thus prolong the inflammatory reaction of the neutrophils. This finding was supported by the increased viability of the neutrophils obtained from periparturient cows. Even after stimulation, we found a lower caspase-3 activity in this group, indicating that they might be activated for a longer time compared with the neutrophils from mid-lactation cows. Accordingly, these alterations might contribute to a temporal mismatch in inflammatory responses, as often seen in severe periparturient infections.

Bovine neutrophils in health and disease

Bovine neutrophils have similarities to those of other species with respect to mechanisms of their activation and migration into tissue, modulation of immune responses and the balance between microbial killing and host tissue damage. However, bovine neutrophils have biochemical and functional differences from those of other species, which may yield insights about the comparative biology of neutrophils. Neutrophils play protective and harmful roles in the infectious diseases of cattle that occur at times of transition: respiratory disease in beef calves recently arrived to feedlots and mastitis and other diseases of postparturient dairy cows. An important research focus is the mechanisms by which risk factors for these diseases affect neutrophil function and thereby lead to disease and the prospect of genetic or pharmacologic improvement of disease resistance. Further, in keeping with the One Health paradigm, cattle can be considered a model for studying the role of neutrophils in naturally occurring diseases caused by host-adapted pathogens and are thus an intermediary between studies of mouse models and investigations of human disease. Finally, the study of bovine neutrophils is important for agriculture, to understand the pathogenesis of these production-limiting diseases and to develop novel methods of disease prevention that improve animal health and reduce the reliance on antimicrobial use.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with autoimmune liver diseases

OBJECTIVE

To estimate oxidative stress and antioxidant components during different stages of autoimmune liver diseases and assess their possible implication on disease progression.

METHODS

We determined several markers of oxidative injury (isoprostane, aldehydes, protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine, and myeloperoxidase) and antioxidant components (glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) in whole blood, serum, and urine in 49 patients with autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases (AC) and 36 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and healthy subjects matched for sex and age.

RESULTS

Both AC and AIH patients had increased levels of all lipid and protein oxidative injury products and significantly decreased whole blood glutathione levels compared to controls. AIH patients had significantly higher levels of aldehydes and glutathione peroxidase activity and significantly lower protein carbonyl levels compared to AC patients. Protein carbonyl and isoprostane levels increased and glutathione levels decreased gradually with progression from mild fibrosis to severe fibrosis and cirrhosis in both AC and AIH patients. In addition, both cirrhotic AC and AIH patients had significantly higher protein carbonyls compared to non-cirrhotics.

DISCUSSION

We provide novel findings in support of a major contribution of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in the progression of liver injury in AC and AIH.

Partial characterization of feline myeloperoxidase and investigation of its potential role as an autoantigen in hyperthyroid cats

OBJECTIVE

To partially characterize the cDNA, amino acid sequence, and tertiary structure of feline myeloperoxidase, describe its cellular location in mature granulocytes, and determine whether hyperthyroid cats have anti-myeloperoxidase antibody.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Bone marrow RNA and whole blood from cats of various sources and feline serum samples submitted for measurement of total thyroxine concentration from September 2006 to July 2007.

PROCEDURES

Feline myeloperoxidase cDNA was amplified from bone marrow RNA; presumptive splice sites were determined by comparison with human sequences. Intracellular localization of myeloperoxidase in granulocytes was determined by use of immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and molecular weight and partial tertiary structure were determined by use of immunoblotting of granulocyte lysates. Anti-human myeloperoxidase (hMPO) antibody was detected via ELISA.

RESULTS

A 2,493-bp sequence encompassing the 2,160-bp cDNA with presumably the same number and size of exons as hMPO was generated. Translation predicted 85% homology with hMPO. Feline myeloperoxidase was localized to neutrophil primary granules, and immunoblotting revealed heavy and light bands with molecular weights similar to those of hMPO. The prevalence of anti-hMPO antibody did not differ between nonhyperthyroid and hyperthyroid cats or among hyperthyroid cats subclassified by treatment modality.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Moderate homology existed between feline myeloperoxidase and hMPO cDNA and protein. Although findings suggested a similar tertiary structure and function for the 2 proteins, they also suggested that inability to detect a high prevalence of anti-hMPO antibody in hyperthyroid cats may be attributable to antigenic differences between the human and feline proteins rather than a lack of autoantibody.

Method for co-purification of equine neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase from a limited blood volume

Neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase can be released in severe inflammatory diseases and cause tissue injuries. Equine enzymes have already been individually purified from large blood quantities. We describe the isolation of both enzymes from a same limited blood volume. Both MPO and elastase were extracted by crushing PMN isolated by centrifugation on a percoll-gradient from a 460 ml blood collection. MPO and elastase were separated by an ionic exchange chromatography phase and further purified by gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 200 and 75, respectively. Enzymes were identified in the collected fractions by specific enzymatic assays. The final purity was verified by electrophoresis. Specific activity was improved to 19.92 and 34.3 x for elastase (final yield: 340 microg) and MPO (final yield: 130 microg), respectively, during the procedure. Results show the possibility of isolating both enzymes from the same blood sample with a sufficient yield and purity for future studies on their implication and interaction during inflammatory diseases.

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for specific equine neutrophil myeloperoxidase measurement in blood

Equine inflammatory disease is accompanied by a neutrophil activation resulting in the release of granulocytic enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). To measure MPO in horse plasma as marker of neutrophil activation, the authors purified equine neutrophil MPO and developed a specific enzyme immunoassay using 2 specific polyclonal antibodies obtained from rabbit (primary antibody) and guinea pig (secondary antibody). The sandwich complex "primary antibody-MPO-secondary antibody" was detected using a goat anti-guinea pig immunoglobulin antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed good precision and accuracy, with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation below 10% for MPO concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 50 ng/ml. A stable plasma MPO value, unaffected by time elapsed between blood collection and centrifugation, was obtained with plasma from EDTA anticoagulated blood. The mean MPO value measured in 38 healthy horses was 181.80 +/- 64.74 ng/ml. In 20 horses suffering from obstruction of the large or small intestine, MPO concentrations measured at the time of arrival at the intensive care unit were significantly higher than mean normal value, ranging from 477.88 to 2,748.13 ng/ml. Work is in progress to apply this MPO ELISA technique to other biological fluids and other equine diseases.

Immunotherapeutic potential of Ocimum sanctum (L) in bovine subclinical mastitis

Immunotherapeutic potential of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum) leaf in bovine sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) was investigated. Somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), milk differential leukocyte count (DLC), phagocytic activity and Phagocytic index and leukocyte lysosomal enzymes like myeloperoxidase and acid phosphatase content were evaluated after intramammary infusion of aqueous leaf extract of O. sanctum. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of O. sanctum treatment reduced the TBC and increased neutrophil and lymphocyte counts with enhanced phagocytic activity and phagocytic index. Similarly, the lysosomal enzymes contents of the milk polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were also enhanced significantly in animals treated with the extract. The results suggest that the crude aqueous extract of O. sanctum (leaf) possesses some biologically active principles that are antibacterial and immunomodulatory in nature. As such, the present wok substantiates the therapeutic use of medicinal herb and also emphasizes on the potential of the commonly available non-toxic substances to enhance the mammary immunity.

Neutrophil-platelet interactions and their relevance to bovine respiratory disease

Respiratory disease is a serious and significant health problem for the bovine industry. Classically, the clinical and research focus has been on the putative causative agents and conditions, and their interactions with host inflammatory cells, particularly alveolar macrophages and blood neutrophils. There is, currently, growing acceptance of the concept that blood platelets play a primary role in the inflammatory process. This review explores the implications of such pro-inflammatory activity, especially in the context of neutrophil-platelet interactions, and the species specificity of cellular responses. The relevance of these issues for the treatment and prevention of bovine respiratory disease is also discussed.

Effects of human IL-8 isoforms on bovine neutrophil function in vitro

Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a potent chemotactic and activating agent for human neutrophils and bovine IL-8 is chemotactic for bovine neutrophils; however, it is unclear whether IL-8 activates bovine neutrophils. Two isoforms of human recombinant (hr) IL-8 protein (77 and 72 amino acid) were used to stimulate bovine neutrophils in vitro. Bovine neutrophils exhibited significant migration in the presence of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0ngml(-1) hr IL-8 when incubated for 30min at 37 degrees C in a modified Boyden chamber assay. Both the 77 and 72 aa forms were equally effective in inducing migration in this assay. At the highest doses of IL-8 examined (1 and 5ngml(-1)), migration was similar to migration in the presence of 20% zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) or 12h lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated blood monocyte supernatants (CM). Significant (p<0. 05) release of alkaline phosphatase (ALK-P) (from specific granules) occurred but myeloperoxidase (MPO) release and superoxide anion production were not enhanced in bovine neutrophils by either form of hrIL-8 at any of the doses tested. Significant (p<0.05) alkaline phosphatase release was observed in the presence of 10 and 100ngml(-1) for the 72 aa form of IL-8 and only at the higher dose for the 77 aa form of IL-8. The ZAS and CM significantly enhanced neutrophil degranulation of ALK-P and MPO as well as inducing superoxide anion production. These results suggest that IL-8 may play a role in both neutrophil recruitment and activation during bovine inflammatory processes.

Electrophoretic detection of myeloperoxidase, protease, lactoferrin and lysozyme in buffalo polymorphonuclear granular acid extracts

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells of more than 90% viability and 92% purity were isolated from the peripheral blood of buffaloes. The cationic proteins were extracted with 0.2 mol/L sodium acetate, pH 4.0 from the granules in the PMN and subjected to both non-denaturing and denaturing acid urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AUPAGE) for identification of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme, protease activity and lactoferrin. Protease was identified using alpha-naphthyl acetate as substrate, while lactoferrin was identified using a reference lactoferrin from bovine milk in AUPAGE, and by double immunodiffusion and Western blot techniques. Based on AUPAGE, lysozyme was found to be most cationic of all the proteins and peptides from the PMN granules as was evident from reference lysozyme run. The results indicated that the granules in buffalo PMN cells have lysozyme, protease, MPO and lactoferrin.

Casein effects on the myeloperoxidase-mediated oxygen-dependent bactericidal activity of bovine neutrophils

Effects of casein on the respiratory burst and bactericidal activity of bovine neutrophils were studied in vitro using chemiluminescence measurements of neutrophils and the myeloperoxidase (MPO)/peroxide/chloride bactericidal system in neutrophil-free cultures. At physiological concentrations, casein inhibited the respiratory burst responses of unstimulated bovine neutrophils and those stimulated with opsonized zymosan or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). The inhibition did not result from impaired activation of neutrophils by the phagocytic stimuli, reduced light transmission or cellular toxicity. Neutrophil respiratory burst activity and the bactericidal activity associated with this phenomenon, i.e. the MPO/peroxide/chloride bactericidal system, were inhibited by casein through the modification of the oxygen radical generating pathway or oxygen radical scavenging. It has long been known that milk inhibits the bactericidal activity of neutrophils. However, the previously undocumented mechanism of action of the major milk protein requires further examination in order to determine whether the neutrophil oxygen-dependent bactericidal pathway plays an important role in defending the lactating bovine udder against bacteria causing mastitis.

Influence of endogenous cortisol on eosinophil function in sensitized pigs: direct measurements of eosinophil peroxidase

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Eosinophils are associated with bronchial asthma, but the role of the eosinophil is not fully understood. This study was initiated in order to study the influence of endogenous cortisol on eosinophil recruitment and activation in allergic inflammation in the lower airways in the pig.

METHODS

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against porcine eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) were raised. Detection of eosinophils in blood smears and lung biopsy specimens was achieved using the polyclonal antibody. For determination of porcine EPO in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a detection limit of 0.15 micrograms/L was developed. No cross-reactivity with porcine myeloperoxidase was found. Pigs that had been actively sensitized with repeated subcutaneous injections of Ascaris suum antigen were acutely challenged with antigen in the lower airways under pentobarbitone anaesthesia.

RESULTS

Control animals with plasma cortisol levels of approximately 400 nM did not exhibit infiltration of eosinophils into lung parenchyma or EPO-release in the bronchial lumen within 8 h after challenge. However, in pigs treated with a cortisol-synthesis inhibitor (metyrapone), resulting in plasma cortisol levels of approximately 40 nM, there was a marked eosinophil infiltration into lung tissue at 8 h. Furthermore, EPO levels in BAL fluid were increased in some, although not all, low-cortisol animals. There was no infiltration of eosinophils into skin tissue in these animals.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that, after allergen challenge in the lower airways of metyrapone-treated pigs, newly recruited eosinophils infiltrate lung tissue specifically. Furthermore, a cortisol-sensitive release of the eosinophil-derived cationic protein EPO, into the bronchial lumen was established. This is, to our knowledge, the first description of direct measurements of the release of an eosinophil granule protein in a large animal model of allergy.

Defective polymorphonuclear neutrophil function in dairy cows showing enhanced susceptibility to intramammary infections

Polymorphonuclear-neutrophil (PMN) oxidative-burst activity, chemotactic and chemokinetic migratory responses, and surface-adhesion protein expression in a mastitis-prone group of dairy cows were compared with corresponding variables in healthy cows. The cows had a well-documented history of udder infection caused by major mastitis pathogens. Analysis of PMN functions revealed a deficiency in the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence responses that seemed to be associated with the mobilization of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the PMN of the patient group, as compared with the healthy controls. The migratory capacity of the PMN in response to a variety of chemotactic substances was enhanced in the patients. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the expression of surface-adhesion proteins (CD11a/CD18). It is proposed that the migratory activity of PMN cells was enhanced in order to compensate for their depressed respiratory-burst activity. Studies are under way to assess whether the defective mobilization of MPO in PMN of mastitis-prone cows is an acquired transient defect or a permanent hereditary defect.

A sensitive double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay for bovine myeloperoxidase and its application to serum and neutrophil extracts

The heme enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), with a spectral A430/A280 ratio > 0.78, was purified from isolated bovine neutrophils. Using highly specific anti-MPO monoclonal and anti-MPO polyclonal antibodies raised against MPO, a specific and sensitive double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was developed to measure bovine MPO in serum and neutrophil extracts. The ELISA shows good precision and accuracy, with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of < 10% for MPO concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 50 ng/ml. The accuracy of the ELISA for measuring MPO in bovine serum was further confirmed by the similarity between the standard curve and curves obtained with successive dilutions of MPO-rich serum samples. The mean analytical recovery of MPO from serum was approximately 90%. Long delays between blood sampling and serum preparation were found to affect the level of MPO in the serum. Mean MPO values in the serum of healthy adult cows were 6.5 ng/ml, with a range of 3.5-15.3 ng/ml. In dairy cows with acute mastitis, mean serum MPO values were approximately 30 ng/ml, with a range of 6.0-59.6 ng/ml, and the elevation was markedly higher than the normal values (P = 0.0001). In isolated neutrophils from healthy cattle, MPO concentrations were found to be 7 x 10(-4) ng, with a range of 6.5-8.3 x 10(-4) ng/neutrophil. The ELISA was used to study the distribution of MPO in the bovine neutrophil granules; it was found to be localized to one distinct compartment.

Bactericidal activity of the bovine myeloperoxidase system against bacteria associated with mastitis

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a lysosomal enzyme found in the primary granules of mammalian neutrophils. Together with MPO, peroxide and halide form a system of defense against bacteria. The present investigation was undertaken to study the bactericidal effects of the bovine-MPO/peroxide/halide system on pathogenic bacteria associated with bovine mastitis. We demonstrated that MPO together with oxidizing agents generated by xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine and chloride form a potent antibacterial system against the common udder pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Escherichia coli in a synthetic medium. However, when milk was added to the reaction mixture, the bactericidal properties of this enzyme system were completely inhibited. Loss of bactericidal activity in the milk-containing cultures was unable to be restored by increasing the concentration of MPO. Nor did an increase in concentrations of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase, or the replacement of the above-mentioned peroxidase generating system with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, significantly elevated the bactericidal activity that was inhibited by milk. The addition of bovine serum albumin to the synthetic medium reduced the bactericidal activity of the MPO/peroxide/chloride system in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, milk proteins probably form adducts with strong bactericidal agents that are generated by the MPO system and thereby reduce the bactericidal potential of this system.

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against bovine myeloperoxidase

We established eight cloned B-cell hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (Mo abs) against bovine myeloperoxidase (MPO). These anti-MPO (AM) Mo abs, designated AM1-AM8, all reacted similarly to three chromatographic forms of MPO, isolated from a single donor, in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. According to immunoblot analysis and ELISA the AM Mo abs are specific to bovine MPO and show no cross reactivity with other neutrophil granule proteins such as lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and serum albumin. In immunoblot analyses IgG1 class AM1, AM2, AM3 and AM4 Mo abs immunostained the heavy subunit of the MPO (57 kDa). Additionally, the AM Mo abs seem to bind either the reactive site or epitopes on bovine MPO that affect the peroxidase activity of this enzyme. AM Mo abs reacted specifically with neutrophils but did not react with lymphocytes or epithelial cells. The present study shows that these AM Mo abs could be used for developing immunoassays to measure bovine MPO from biological fluids and for localizing neutrophils at sites of infections. They could also be useful in studies assessing the involvement of MPO in inflammatory processes in bovine species.

Use of bovine myeloperoxidase as an indicator of mastitis in dairy cattle

Bovine myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme protein consisting of both large and small polypeptide subunits. In mammals the role of MPO in defending against microbes is well documented. To evaluate the potential of using MPO in the diagnosis of udder infections in dairy cattle we developed a specific enzyme immunoassay for bovine MPO in milk. Antibodies against bovine MPO were produced using the purified enzyme. The ELISA utilizes two specific antibodies: one that is anti-MPO monoclonal and one that is anti-MPO polyclonal. For a total of 141 milk samples the correlation coefficient between the somatic cell count and MPO concentrations determined using the ELISA was 0.91. The ELISA showed good precision and accuracy in measuring MPO in milk, with a total variation of ca. 10%. The recoveries of known amounts of MPO from milk were satisfactory. Thus the stability of the enzyme in milk was judged to be good. Microorganisms were isolated in ca. 85% of the milk samples with elevated concentrations of MPO. Microorganisms were not isolated from more than 90% of non mastitic milk samples with low somatic cell counts where MPO was not detectable using ELISA. The results clearly show that the quantitative analysis of the amount of MPO in mastitic milk can be used to detect intramammary infections in dairy cattle.