
Scientists Isolate Protein that Helps Fight
Mastitis By Sandy
Hays December 24, 1996Neutrophils--a type of white blood
cell--go into action against dairy cows mastitis infections when they get
the signal from a naturally produced protein. The protein was isolated and purified in studies in 1994-95 by Max J. Paape
of the ARS Immunology and
Disease Resistance Laboratory at Beltsville, Md., and visiting scientist
Pascal Rainard of the Institut
National de la Recherches Agronomique, Nouzilly, France. The next step: Pinpointing how the protein directs neutrophils into the
mammary gland and how much protein is needed for an effective neutrophil
response. Mastitis, an infection of the cows udder, costs U.S. dairy farmers $2
billion annually in treatment and lost milk production. When a cows udder
becomes infected, neutrophils rush to attack the invading bacteria. Until now,
researchers had little information on what triggered the neutrophils
charge. The protein might someday be used in cows to protect against
mastitis-causing bacteria. Scientific contact: Max J. Paape, Immunology
and Disease Resistance Laboratory, Beltsville, MD (301) 504-8302 Story contacts Sandy Miller Hays U.S. Department of Agriculture | |