Proteins of rat serum: III. Gender-related differences in protein concentration under baseline conditions and upon experimental inflammation as evaluated by two-dimensional electrophoresis

Electrophoresis. 1999 Apr-May;20(4-5):836-45. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1522-2683(19990101)20:4/5<836::AID-ELPS836>3.0.CO;2-6.

Abstract

We have previously described the major components of rat serum (Electrophoresis 1998, 19, 1484-1492 and 1493-1500). In this report we examine sex-related differences in protein concentrations, both in control animals and upon experimentally induced inflammation. Under baseline conditions approximately one third of the spots resolved in serum by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) are expressed at levels > or =25% higher in female rats than in male rats and a further 10% at levels > or =25% lower. Inflammation increases the expression of the positive acute-phase reactants: hemopexin, ceruloplasmin, alpha1-antitrypsin (all approximately 2-fold), C-reactive protein (3- to 5-fold), serine protease inhibitor-3 (4- to 5-fold), thiostatin (> 5-fold in females, >20-fold in males), clusterin, orosomucoid, haptoglobin chains and alpha2-macroglobulin. The baseline level of the last four markers is below the detection limit, hence no percent increase can be computed. Conversely, negative acute-phase reactants are reduced on inflammation: alpha1-inhibitor III, alpha2-HS-glycoprotein, kallikrein-binding protein and transthyretin (all reduced to between 1/2 to 1/3 of the baseline levels), retinol-binding protein (to about 1/2 to 1/4) and albumin (to 2/3). Except for thiostatin, the changes in acute-phase protein levels are similar in male and female rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute-Phase Proteins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional / methods*
  • Female
  • Inflammation / blood*
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Blood Proteins