Expression of α1-acid glycoprotein and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of dairy cattle

Adipose tissue is an endocrine compartment that plays an important role in immune defence by producing and releasing a wide range of proteins, including acute phase proteins (APPs). The liver is the main organ of APP synthesis, although extrahepatic production has also been reported. In the present study, expression of two APPs in dairy cattle, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), was determined in four visceral (pericardial, mesenteric, omental and retroperitoneal) and three subcutaneous (withers, tail head and sternum) adipose tissue depots. mRNA expression was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative PCR, protein profiles were assessed by Western blot analysis and cellular localisation was determined by immunohistochemistry. The presence of LBP and AGP was demonstrated at mRNA and protein levels in all seven adipose tissue depots. Expression of AGP and LBP suggests that they may have roles as local and systemic inflammatory adipokines.