Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) serves as an potential epigenetic determinant to regulate inflammatory responses in mastitis

It is well-established that lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is the first identified histone demethylase. Based on its demethylase enzymatic activity, LSD1 plays a pivotal role in vast range of cellular processes and cancers, but the understanding of its effects on inflammation is relatively limited. Using in vivo models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and in vitro assays in mouse mammary epithelial cells, we identified the novel regulatory roles and underlying mechanisms of LSD1 on LPS-induced mastitis. Mammary gland and cells were collected for the following experiments after treatment. Histological changes were determined by H&E. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression. ELISA and real-time PCR were used to evaluate protein and mRNA expression of inflammatory genes. Our results showed that LPS treatment resulted in a significant increase in LSD1 protein expression. GSK-LSD1 is a selective inhibitor of LSD1 enzyme activity. Treatment of mice with GSK-LSD1 inhibited LSD1 activity, reduced inflammatory cells recruitment to tissues and attenuated LPS-induced damage in mammary gland. Mechanistic investigations suggested that LSD1 inhibition led to the increase of histone H3K4me2 and H3K9me2. Furthermore, GSK-LSD1 inhibition of LSD1 further inhibited nuclear factor κ-B (NF-κB) signaling cascades, and subsequently inhibited the production of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in mammary gland. Taken together, our data reveal LSD1 as a potential regulator of inflammation and improve our understanding of epigenetic control on inflammation.

In vivo activation of the intracrine vitamin D pathway in innate immune cells and mammary tissue during a bacterial infection

Numerous in vitro studies have shown that toll-like receptor signaling induces 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ 1α-hydroxylase (1α-OHase; CYP27B1) expression in macrophages from various species. 1α-OHase is the primary enzyme that converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃). Subsequently, synthesis of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ by 1α-OHase in macrophages has been shown to modulate innate immune responses of macrophages. Despite the numerous in vitro studies that have shown 1α-OHase expression is induced in macrophages, however, evidence that 1α-OHase expression is induced by pathogens in vivo is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate 1α-OHase gene expression in macrophages and mammary tissue during an in vivo bacterial infection with Streptococcus uberis. In tissue and secreted cells from the infected mammary glands, 1α-OHase gene expression was significantly increased compared to expression in tissue and cells from the healthy mammary tissue. Separation of the cells by FACS9 revealed that 1α-OHase was predominantly expressed in the CD14⁺ cells isolated from the infected mammary tissue. The 24-hydroxylase gene, a gene that is highly upregulated by 1,25(OH)₂D₃, was significantly more expressed in tissue and cells from the infected mammary tissue than from the healthy uninfected mammary tissue thus indicating significant local 1,25(OH)₂D₃ production at the infection site. In conclusion, this study provides the first in vivo evidence that 1α-OHase expression is upregulated in macrophages in response to bacterial infection and that 1α-OHase at the site of infection provides 1,25(OH)₂D₃ for local regulation of vitamin D responsive genes.

Detection of subclinical mastitis in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using somatic cell counts and the N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase test

Somatic cell counts, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity and the infection status of the udder were determined in quarter milk samples (n = 86) from 22 multiparous, clinically healthy camels, traditionally managed by Bedouin nomads in the Negev desert, Israel. Seventy (81.4%) of the 86 samples examined contained bacteria, of which 35 (40.7%) gave mixed isolations of two or more bacteria, suggesting the existence of subclinical mastitis in the camel herds studied. Sixteen samples (18.6%) yielded no growth of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Escherichia coli were the main organisms isolated. The somatic cell count (SCC) ranged from 1.01 x 105 to 11.78 x 106 cells/ml. NAGase values were between 41.4 and 372 NAGase units. Quarter milk samples that contained bacteria had significantly (p < 0.01) higher mean values for SCC but the mean NAGase levels were not significantly different for the bacteriologically negative and positive samples. There was a low correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.097) between the SCC and NAGase in the quarter milk samples from which bacteria were not isolated (n = 16) and a low negative correlation (r2 = -0.038) with the samples that contained bacteria (n = 70). The type of bacteria had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on the SCC but not on the NAGase activity. Quarter samples from which Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase positive) was isolated showed the highest mean SCC and this organism is therefore suspected to be the underlying cause of the subclinical mastitis. The SCC gave a better indication of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in milk samples than did NAGase.

Effect of somatic cell count and stage of lactation on the quality and storage life of ultra high temperature milk

The effects of bulk milk cell count (BMCC) and stage of lactation on the quality and storage characteristics of UHT milk were investigated. The UHT milk was manufactured in a pilot plant using milk of low BMCC from early and late lactation, and milk of high BMCC from early and late lactation. Upon storage at 20 degrees C, early lactation UHT milk gelled far ahead of late lactation milk. Within each stage of lactation, high BMCC milk tended to gel first. Few differences in the organoleptic properties of the UHT milks were observed. It was apparent that the onset of age gelation may not always be related directly to the level of proteolysis, and that other factors influencing milk composition and the reactions between milk components may play more important roles. At a particular stage of lactation, proteolysis induced by mastitis may hasten the onset of gelation.

Breast cancer diagnosis by lactate dehydrogenase isozymes in nipple discharge

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of breast cancer based on nipple discharge, often the only clinical manifestation of early breast cancer, is currently unsatisfactory. Because M subunits of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have been noted to increase in cancer tissue, the author assessed the value of using LDH isozyme patterns in nipple discharge for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

METHODS

LDH isozyme levels in (1) nipple discharge of patients diagnosed as having breast cancer, intraductal papilloma, mastopathy, drug-induced nipple discharge, mastitis, or benign nipple discharge; (2) control samples of normal nipple discharge (milk) 6 days, 1-5 months, and 6 months to 2 years postpartum; (3) the serum of patients presenting with nipple discharge; and (4) normal and cancerous breast tissue extracts were measured using a Ciba-Corning LDH isozyme system (Ciba Corning Diagnostic Corp., Tokyo, Japan).

RESULTS

LDH isozyme levels in the nipple discharge of patients with benign breast diseases displayed various patterns. Levels in the nipple discharge of patients with breast cancer, including noninvasive carcinoma, tended to increase in ascending order from LDH1 to LDH5. This pattern was similar to that in breast cancer tissue and was unrelated to the pattern in serum.

CONCLUSION

LDH isozyme assay of nipple discharge may be a useful technique for providing a supporting diagnosis of breast cancer.

Studies on experimental chlamydial mastitis in goat histoenzymology

Two strains of Chlamydia psittaci (one isolated from aborted goat foetus and the other from brain of a buffalo calf that had died of meningoencephalitis) were injected intracisternally into six goats to produce experimental mastitis. Cryostat sections of 7-8 microns thickness, obtained from udder, teat, liver and kidney of infected and control animals were incubated for histoenzymic demonstration of alkaline-(AKPase), acid-(ACPase) and adenosine-tri-(ATPase) phosphatases; lactate-(LDH) and succinate-(SDH) dehydrogenases and for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-D). Results demonstrated that AKPase and NADPH-D declined while ACPase accumulated in acinar cells of udder while both NADPH-D and ACPase decreased in teat sinus epithelium. Hepatic canaliculi in perilobular areas of liver lobules registered complete absence of AKPase and ATPase. Hepatocytes and renal tubules accumulated LDH, SDH and NADPH-D. The interstitial connective tissue of udder and kidney presented higher levels of AKPase. Comparison of results with biochemical alterations in the level of these enzymes revealed striking discrepancies which seem to arise because of failure of biochemical procedures to discriminate between functional cells of tissue and inflammatory cells. The functional significance of histoenzymic alterations has been discussed.

Use of California Mastitis Test, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and antitrypsin to diagnose caprine subclinical mastitis

Analysis of 448 milk samples (11 herds) from caprine udder halves showed that microorganisms were isolated from 21.8% of the samples. California Mastitis Test (CMT) and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAGase) were superior to antitrypsin in detecting subclinical infections. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci were the main species isolated from halves showing no clinical disease. Coagulase-positive staphylococcal infections were associated with a significant increase of all inflammatory parameters. Significantly increased CMT and NAGase occurred when streptococci, other staphylococci or micrococci were present. Infection within one half was reflected as an increase in the inflammatory parameters in the milk of the infected half as well as a slight increase in the inflammation parameters in the adjoining half.

N-Acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity and somatic cells in goat milk

N-Acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity, somatic cell count, and udder infection status were determined in milk of nine Saanen goats. Plasma enzyme activity was also measured. Individual half udder milk samples were taken for 12 d over a 3-wk period and animals were bled weekly. Three of the 18 udder halves were infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci over all 12 sampling d. The N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase and somatic cells in milk were significantly elevated in samples where minor pathogens were isolated. Plasma enzyme was variable among goats but not within goats or across weeks. Greater daily variation was seen in somatic cell count as compared to milk enzyme activity. Correlation between milk N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase and somatic cell count was .54.

[Enzymatic status of leukocytes in pyo-inflammatory diseases of the soft tissues and their changes caused by pyrimidine derivatives]

It has been established that data of cytochemical investigation of leukocytes can show the severity of the pathological process and contribute to prognosing further development of pyo-inflammatory disease. Pyrimidine derivatives have a pronounced normalizing effect on the enzyme activity of leukocytes.