Lactoferrin binds to cell membrane DNA. Association of surface DNA with an enriched population of B cells and monocytes

R. M. Bennett, J. Davis, S. Campbell, S. Portnoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

The binding of human 125I-labeled lactoferrin (LF) to a population of adherent mononuclear cells (ADMC) and nonrosetting lymphocytes (E-) was abolished by prior treatment of the cells with deoxyribonuclease (DNase), but not ribonuclease (RNase). When DNase-treated ADMC were incubated with exogenous DNA, the binding of 125I-LF was restored. Enzymatic digestion with other enzymes, trypsin, phospholipase D, and neuraminidase, did not significantly influence 125I-LF binding. Saturable binding of LF at 0°C was demonstrated for both E- and ADMC, with equilibrium dissociation constants of 0.76 x 10-6 M and 1.8 x 10-6 M, respectively. E- cells bound 2.5 x 107 and ADMC bound 3.3 x 107 molecules of LF at saturation. Cell membranes were isolated from ADMC, E- and E+ and reacted with 125I-labeled LF; significant binding was only seen with ADMC and E-. Prior treatment of the membranes with DNase abolished the binding. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that a population of ADMC and E-, but not E+, exhibited a peripheral staining pattern for LF. Prior treatment of ADMC and E- with DNase abolished the surface immunofluorescence. This study provides evidence that cell membrane DNA acts as a binding site for exogenous LF. This is a novel role for DNA that has not been previously reported. Furthermore, it points to a basic difference between E+ cells vs. ADMC and E- cells in respect to their possession of cell surface DNA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)611-618
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume71
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1983
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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