The present study was designed to identify immunomodulatory components from the leech salivary gland of Haemadipsa sylvestris. The Sephadex G-50, ResourceTM S column chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) were used to isolate and purify the salivary gland extracts(SGE). Structural analysis of isolated compounds was based on Edman degradation and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer(MALDI-TOF-MS). The c DNA encoding the precursor of the compound was cloned from the c DNA library of the salivary gland of H. sylvestris. The levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon ?(IFN-?), interleukin-6(IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The effects on cell proliferation and cell viability were observed using MTT assay. A novel neuropeptide Y(Neuropeptide Y-HS) from the leech salivary gland of H. sylvestris was purified and characterized. It was composed of 36 amino acid residues and the amino acid sequence was determined to be FLEPPERPAVFTSVEQMKSYIKALNDYYLLLGRPRF-NH2, containing an amidated C-terminus. It showed significant inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-?, IFN-?, IL-6, and MCP-1. Neuropeptide Y was identified from leeches for the first time. The presence of neuropeptide Y-HS in leech salivary gland may help get blood meal from hosts and inhibit inflammation.
The present study was designed to identify immunomodulatory components from the leech salivary gland of Haemadipsa sylvestris. The Sephadex G-50, ResourceTM S column chromatography and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) were used to isolate and purify the salivary gland extracts(SGE). Structural analysis of isolated compounds was based on Edman degradation and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer(MALDI-TOF-MS). The c DNA encoding the precursor of the compound was cloned from the c DNA library of the salivary gland of H. sylvestris. The levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-6(IL-6), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The effects on cell proliferation and cell viability were observed using MTT assay. A novel neuropeptide Y(Neuropeptide Y-HS) from the leech salivary gland of H. sylvestris was purified and characterized. It was composed of 36 amino acid residues and the amino acid sequence was determined to be FLEPPERPAVFTSVEQMKSYIKALNDYYLLLGRPRF-NH2, containing an amidated C-terminus. It showed significant inhibitory effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-γ, IFN-γ, IL-6, and MCP-1. Neuropeptide Y was identified from leeches for the first time. The presence of neuropeptide Y-HS in leech salivary gland may help get blood meal from hosts and inhibit inflammation.