TY - JOUR A1 - Reinmuth-Selzle, K. A1 - Tchipilov, Teodor A1 - Backes, A. T. A1 - Tscheuschner, Georg A1 - Tang, K. A1 - Ziegler, K. A1 - Lucas, K. A1 - Pöschl, U. A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. A1 - Weller, Michael G. T1 - Determination of the protein content of complex samples by aromatic amino acid analysis, liquid chromatography-UV absorbance, and colorimetry N2 - Fast and accurate determination of the protein content of a sample is an important and non-trivial task of many biochemical, biomedical, food chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental research activities. Different methods of total protein determination are used for a wide range of proteins with highly variable properties in complex matrices. These methods usually work reasonably well for proteins under controlled conditions, but the results for non-standard and complex samples are often questionable. Here, we compare new and well-established methods, including traditional amino acid analysis (AAA), aromatic amino acid analysis (AAAA) based on the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, reversed-phase liquid chromatography of intact proteins with UV absorbance measurements at 220 and 280 nm (LC-220, LC-280), and colorimetric assays like Coomassie Blue G-250 dye-binding assay (Bradford) and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. We investigated different samples, including proteins with challenging properties, chemical modifications, mixtures, and complex matrices like air particulate matter and pollen extracts. All methods yielded accurate and precise results for the protein and matrix used for calibration. AAA, AAAA with fluorescence detection, and the LC-220 method yielded robust results even under more challenging conditions (variable analytes and matrices). These methods turned out to be well-suited for reliable determination of the protein content in a wide range of samples, such as air particulate matter and pollen. KW - Air particulate matter KW - Aromatic amino acid analysis KW - Atmospheric aerosol KW - Chemical protein modification KW - Derivatization KW - Nitration KW - Nitrotyrosine KW - LC-UV absorbance KW - Pollen extract KW - Protein quantification KW - Protein test KW - Kjeldahl KW - Tyrosine KW - Phenylalanine KW - Hydrolysis KW - Bradford KW - BCA test KW - 280 nm KW - Air filter samples KW - Fluorescence KW - HPLC KW - Chromatography KW - Protein content KW - 150th anniversary of BAM KW - Topical collection: Analytical Methods and Applications in the Materials and Life Sciences PY - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-545924 UR - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35320366/ SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Springer Nature Limited CY - New York, Heidelberg AN - OPUS4-54592 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Backes, A. T. A1 - Reinmuth-Selzle, K. A1 - Leifke, A. L. A1 - Ziegler, K. A1 - Krevert, C. S. A1 - Tscheuschner, Georg A1 - Lucas, K. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Berkemeier, T. A1 - Pöschl, U. A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. T1 - Oligomerization and Nitration of the Grass Pollen Allergen Phl p 5 by Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Peroxynitrite: Reaction Products, Kinetics, and Health Effects N2 - The allergenic and inflammatory potential of proteins can be enhanced by chemical modification upon exposure to atmospheric or physiological oxidants. The molecular mechanisms and kinetics of such modifications, however, have not yet been fully resolved. We investigated the oligomerization and nitration of the grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 by ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and peroxynitrite (ONOO–). Within several hours of exposure to atmospherically relevant concentration levels of O3 and NO2, up to 50% of Phl p 5 were converted into protein oligomers, likely by formation of dityrosine cross-links. Assuming that tyrosine residues are the preferential site of nitration, up to 10% of the 12 tyrosine residues per protein monomer were nitrated. For the reaction with peroxynitrite, the largest oligomer mass fractions (up to 50%) were found for equimolar concentrations of peroxynitrite over tyrosine residues. With excess peroxynitrite, the nitration degrees increased up to 40% whereas the oligomer mass fractions decreased to 20%. Our results suggest that protein oligomerization and nitration are competing processes, which is consistent with a two-step mechanism involving a reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI), as observed for other proteins. The modified proteins can promote pro-inflammatory cellular signaling that may contribute to chronic inflammation and allergies in response to air pollution. KW - Protein KW - Nitrotyrosine KW - Dityrosine KW - Allergy KW - Hay fever KW - Diesel exhaust KW - Combustion KW - Exhaust PY - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-529729 VL - 22 IS - 14 PB - MDPI CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-52972 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ziegler, K. A1 - Kunert, A. T. A1 - Reinmuth-Selzle, K. A1 - Leifke, A. L. A1 - Widera, D. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Schuppan, D. A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. A1 - Lucas, K. A1 - Pöschl, U. T1 - Chemical modification of pro-inflammatory proteins by peroxynitrite increases activation of TLR4 and NF-κB: Implications for the health effects of air pollution and oxidative stress N2 - Environmental pollutants like fine particulate matter can cause adverse health effects through oxidative stress and inflammation. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) such as peroxynitrite can chemically modify proteins, but the effects of such modifications on the immune system and human health are not well understood. In the course of inflammatory processes, the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) can sense damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Here, we investigate how the TLR4 response and pro-inflammatory potential of the proteinous DAMPs α-Synuclein (α-Syn), heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), and high-mobility-group box 1 protein (HMGB1), which are relevant in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, changes upon chemical modification with peroxynitrite. For the peroxynitrite-modified proteins, we found a strongly enhanced activation of TLR4 and the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in stable reporter cell lines as well as increased mRNA expression and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 in human monocytes (THP-1). This enhanced activation of innate immunity via TLR4 is mediated by covalent chemical modifications of the studied DAMPs. Our results show that proteinous DAMPs modified by peroxynitrite more potently amplify inflammation via TLR4 activation than the native DAMPs, and provide first evidence that such modifications can directly enhance innate immune responses via a defined receptor. These findings suggest that environmental pollutants and related ROS/RNS may play a role in promoting acute and chronic inflammatory disorders by structurally modifying the body's own DAMPs. This may have important consequences for chronic neurodegenerative, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases that are prevalent in modern societies, and calls for action, to improve air quality and climate in the Anthropocene. KW - Protein nitration KW - Protein oligomerization KW - Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) KW - Pattern recognition receptor KW - Anthropocene KW - Environmental pollutants PY - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-517128 VL - 37 SP - 101581 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-51712 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reinmuth-Selzle, K. A1 - Kampf, C. J. A1 - Lucas, K. A1 - Lang-Yona, N. A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. A1 - Shiraiwa, M. A1 - Lakey, P. S. J. A1 - Lai, S. A1 - Liu, F. A1 - Kunert, A. T. A1 - Ziegler, K. A1 - Shen, F. A1 - Sgarbanti, R. A1 - Weber, B. A1 - Bellinghausen, I. A1 - Saloga, J. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Duschl, A. A1 - Schuppan, D. A1 - Pöschl, U. T1 - Air pollution and climate change effects on allergies in the anthropocene: Abundance, interaction, and modification of allergens and adjuvants N2 - Air pollution and climate change are potential drivers for the increasing burden of allergic diseases. The molecular mechanisms by which air pollutants and climate parameters may influence allergic diseases, however, are complex and elusive. This article provides an overview of physical, chemical and biological interactions between air pollution, climate change, allergens, adjuvants and the immune system, addressing how these interactions may promote the development of allergies. We reviewed and synthesized key findings from atmospheric, climate, and biomedical research. The current state of knowledge, open questions, and future research perspectives are outlined and discussed. The Anthropocene, as the present era of globally pervasive anthropogenic influence on planet Earth and, thus, on the human environment, is characterized by a strong increase of carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and combustion- or traffic-related particulate matter in the atmosphere. These environmental factors can enhance the abundance and induce chemical modifications of allergens, increase oxidative stress in the human body, and skew the immune system toward allergic reactions. In particular, air pollutants can act as adjuvants and alter the immunogenicity of allergenic proteins, while climate change affects the atmospheric abundance and human exposure to bioaerosols and aeroallergens. To fully understand and effectively mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution and climate change on allergic diseases, several challenges remain to be resolved. Among these are the identification and quantification of immunochemical reaction pathways involving allergens and adjuvants under relevant environmental and physiological conditions. KW - Allergie KW - Klimaveränderung KW - Luftverschmutzung KW - Partikel KW - Ozon KW - Stickoxide KW - Allergene KW - Adjuvantien KW - PALM KW - DAMP PY - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-404531 SN - 1520-5851 SN - 0013-936X VL - 51 IS - 8 SP - 4119 EP - 4141 PB - American Chemical Society (ACS) CY - Washington AN - OPUS4-40453 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liu, F. A1 - Reinmuth-Selzle, K. A1 - Lai, S. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Pöschl, U. A1 - Kampf, C. J. T1 - Simultaneous determination of nitrated and oligomerized proteins by size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detection N2 - Chemical modifications such as nitration and cross-linking may enhance the allergenic potential of proteins. The kinetics and mechanisms of the underlying chemical processes, however, are not yet well understood. Here, we present a size-exclusion chromatography/spectrophotometry method (SEC-HPLC-DAD) that allows a simultaneous detection of mono-, di-, tri-, and higher protein oligomers, as well as their individual nitration degrees (NDs). The ND results of proteins from this new method agree well with the results from an alternative well-established method, for the analysis of tetranitromethane (TNM)- and nitrogen dioxide and ozone (NO2/O3)-nitrated protein samples. Importantly, the NDs for individual oligomer fractions can be obtained from the new method, and also, we provide a proof of principle for the calculation of the concentrations for individual protein oligomer fractions by their determined NDs, which will facilitate the investigation of the kinetics and mechanism for protein tyrosine nitration and cross-linking. KW - Size exclusion chromatography KW - HPLC-DAD KW - Protein nitration degree KW - Protein oligomer analysis KW - Nitrotyrosine KW - Dimer KW - Trimer KW - Oligomer KW - Protein KW - Tetranitromethane KW - BSA KW - Albumin KW - Air pollution KW - Nitrogen oxides PY - 2017 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967317303795 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2017.03.015 SN - 0021-9673 VL - 1495 SP - 76 EP - 82 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-40304 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liu, F. A1 - Lai, S. A1 - Tong, H. A1 - Lakey, P. S. J. A1 - Shiraiwa, M. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Pöschl, U. A1 - Kampf, C. J. T1 - Release of free amino acids upon oxidation of peptides and proteins by hydroxyl radicals N2 - Hydroxyl radical-induced oxidation of proteins and peptides can lead to the cleavage of the peptide, leading to a release of fragments. Here, we used high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and pre-column online ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization-based amino acid analysis by HPLC with diode array detection and fluorescence detection to identify and quantify free amino acids released upon oxidation of proteins and peptides by hydroxyl radicals. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), ovalbumin (OVA) as model proteins, and synthetic tripeptides (comprised of varying compositions of the amino acids Gly, Ala, Ser, and Met) were used for reactions with hydroxyl radicals, which were generated by the Fenton reaction of iron ions and hydrogen peroxide. The molar yields of free glycine, aspartic acid, asparagine, and alanine per peptide or protein varied between 4 and 55%. For protein oxidation reactions, the molar yields of Gly (∼32-55% for BSA, ∼10-21% for OVA) were substantially higher than those for the other identified amino acids (∼5-12% for BSA, ∼4-6% for OVA). Upon oxidation of tripeptides with Gly in C-terminal, mid-chain, or N-terminal positions, Gly was preferentially released when it was located at the C-terminal site. Overall, we observe evidence for a site-selective formation of free amino acids in the OH radical-induced oxidation of peptides and proteins, which may be due to a reaction pathway involving nitrogen-centered radicals. KW - Peptides KW - Proteins KW - Oxidation KW - Hydroxyl radicals KW - LC-MS KW - Amino acid analysis KW - Bovine serum albumin KW - Ovalbumin KW - Tripeptides KW - Ortho-Phthalaldehyde KW - AAA KW - Degradation KW - Fragmentation KW - Mechanism PY - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-398714 UR - http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00216-017-0188-y SN - 1618-2650 SN - 1618-2642 VL - 409 IS - 9 SP - 2411 EP - 2420 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg AN - OPUS4-39871 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liu, F. A1 - Lakey, P. S. J. A1 - Berkemeier, T. A1 - Tong, H. A1 - Kunert, A. T. A1 - Meusel, H. A1 - Cheng, Y. A1 - Su, H. A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. A1 - Lai, S. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Shiraiwa, M. A1 - Pöschl, U. A1 - Kampf, C. J. T1 - Atmospheric protein chemistry influenced by anthropogenic air pollutants: nitration and oligomerization upon exposure to ozone and nitrogen dioxide N2 - The allergenic potential of airborne proteins may be enhanced via post-translational modification induced by air pollutants like ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The molecular mechanisms and kinetics of the chemical modifications that enhance the allergenicity of proteins, however, are still not fully understood. Here, protein tyrosine nitration and oligomerization upon simultaneous exposure of O3 and NO2 were studied in coated-wall flow-tube and bulk solution experiments under varying atmospherically relevant conditions (5–200 ppb O3, 5–200 ppb NO2, 45–96% RH), using bovine serum albumin as a model protein. Generally, more tyrosine residues were found to react via the nitration pathway than via the oligomerization pathway. Depending on reaction conditions, oligomer mass fractions and nitration degrees were in the ranges of 2.5–25% and 0.5–7%, respectively. The experimental results were well reproduced by the kinetic multilayer model of aerosol surface and bulk chemistry (KM-SUB). The extent of nitration and oligomerization strongly depends on relative humidity (RH) due to moisture-induced phase transition of proteins, highlighting the importance of cloud processing conditions for accelerated protein chemistry. Dimeric and nitrated species were major products in the liquid phase, while protein oligomerization was observed to a greater extent for the solid and semi-solid phase states of proteins. Our results show that the rate of both processes was sensitive towards ambient ozone concentration but rather insensitive towards different NO2 levels. An increase of tropospheric ozone concentrations in the Anthropocene may thus promote pro-allergic protein modifications and contribute to the observed increase of allergies over the past decades. KW - Oxidation KW - Nitration KW - Cross-linking KW - Ozone KW - Nitrogen dioxide KW - Dimer KW - Air pollution KW - Diesel KW - Aeroallergens KW - Pollen KW - Tyrosine KW - Nitrotyrosine KW - BSA KW - Albumin PY - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-418482 SN - 1359-6640 VL - 200 SP - 413 EP - 427 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - London AN - OPUS4-41848 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reinmuth-Selzle, K. A1 - Bellinghausen, I. A1 - Leifke, A. L. A1 - Backes, A. T. A1 - Bothen, N. A1 - Ziegler, K. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Saloga, J. A1 - Schuppan, D. A1 - Lucas, K. A1 - Pöschl, U. A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. T1 - Chemical modification by peroxynitrite enhances TLR4 activation of the grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 N2 - The chemical modification of aeroallergens by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) may contribute to the growing prevalence of respiratory allergies in industrialized countries. Post-translational modifications can alter the immunological properties of proteins, but the underlying mechanisms and effects are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation of the major birch and grass pollen allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5, and how the physiological oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO–) changes the TLR4 activation through protein nitration and the formation of protein dimers and higher oligomers. Of the two allergens, Bet v 1 exhibited no TLR4 activation, but we found TLR4 activation of Phl p 5, which increased after modification with ONOO– and may play a role in the sensitization against this grass pollen allergen. We attribute the TLR4 activation mainly to the two-domain structure of Phl p 5 which may promote TLR4 dimerization and activation. The enhanced TLR4 signaling of the modified allergen indicates that the ONOO–-induced modifications affect relevant protein-receptor interactions. This may lead to increased sensitization to the grass pollen allergen and thus contribute to the increasing prevalence of allergies in the Anthropocene, the present era of globally pervasive anthropogenic influence on the environment. KW - Bet v 1 KW - Birch pollen allergen KW - Phl p 5 KW - Grass pollen KW - Phleum pratense KW - Betula pendula KW - Nitration KW - Nitrotyrosine KW - Protein nitration KW - Toll-like receptor 4 KW - Allergy KW - Enhancement KW - Oligomerization KW - Dimerization KW - TLR4 activation KW - Air pollution KW - Nitrogen oxides KW - Inflammation PY - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-570298 VL - 4 SP - 1 EP - 7 PB - Frontiers Media SA CY - Lausanne, Switzerland AN - OPUS4-57029 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J. A1 - Bothen, N. A1 - Backes, A. T. A1 - Weller, Michael G. A1 - Pöschl, U. T1 - Oligomerization and tyrosine nitration enhance the allergenic potential of the birch and grass pollen allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 N2 - Protein modifications such as oligomerization and tyrosine nitration alter the immune response to allergens and may contribute to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. In this mini-review, we summarize and discuss relevant findings for the major birch and grass pollen allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 modified with tetranitromethane (laboratory studies), peroxynitrite (physiological processes), and ozone and nitrogen dioxide environmental conditions). We focus on tyrosine nitration and the formation of protein dimers and higher oligomers via dityrosine cross-linking and the immunological effects studied. N2 - Proteinmodifikationen wie Oligomerisierung und Tyrosinnitrierung verändern die Immunantwort auf Allergene und tragen möglicherweise zur zunehmenden Prävalenz allergischer Erkrankungen bei. In diesem Mini-Review fassen wir relevante Befunde zu den wichtigsten Birken- und Gräserpollenallergenen Bet v 1 und Phl p 5 zusammen, die mit Tetranitromethan (Laborstudien), Peroxynitrit (physiologische Prozesse) und Ozon und Stickstoffdioxid (Umweltbedingungen). Wir konzentrieren uns auf die Tyrosin-Nitrierung und die Bildung von Proteindimeren und höheren Oligomeren durch Dityrosin-Vernetzung und deren immunologischen Auswirkungen. KW - Allergy KW - Nitration KW - Protein oligomers KW - Air pollution KW - Ozone KW - Nitrogen oxides KW - Tyrosine KW - Nitrotyrosine KW - Dityrosine KW - Dityrosine crosslinking KW - Protein degradation KW - Neoepitopes KW - Neoallergen KW - IgE KW - Immunoglobulin E PY - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-591453 VL - 4 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Frontiers Media CY - Switzerland AN - OPUS4-59145 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -