Multimodal applications for investigating the role of mSMGP in host defense

小鼠下颂腺具有内分泌和外分泌功能，并且是几种生物活性多肽（包括激素、生长因子和消化酶）的合成部位。虽然这些蛋白质中的许多被很好地研究和表征，但还有许多其他蛋白质的功能仍然难以捉摸。我们已经确定了一个基因，其蛋白质，我们称之为小鼠颌下腺蛋白（mSMGP），这是高度表达在这个腺体，其功能尚未阐明。mSMGP还存在于唾液和其他体液中，例如眼泪、汗液和来自精囊的分泌物。我们已经表明，mSMGP结合人类和小鼠口腔细菌的一些菌株。 这些观察结果，以及一些线索，来自人类同源物，可以结合到CD4分子和抑制T淋巴细胞凋亡，使我们假设，小鼠颌下腺蛋白，mSMGP，在先天和免疫宿主防御入侵生物体和感染中发挥作用。为了解决mSMGP在体内的功能，我们已经产生了第一个小鼠mSMGP敲除模型。使用组织病理学分析的基因敲除小鼠和一系列的细菌研究，我们目前的目标是充分定义的表型归因于mSMGP功能的损失，并检查其与细菌在体内和体外的相互作用。迄今为止，对通过口腔污染防止入侵生物体或感染的了解甚少，因此，拟议的研究是从口腔角度探讨感染现象的极少数研究之一。这项研究将产生关键的见解mSMGP的功能和生物学，从而有助于进一步了解下颌下生物学。对于我们的分子和免疫学研究至关重要的是常规使用酶标仪以及解剖显微镜。这种设备对于培训和教学目的也很重要。 同样关键的是需要一个细菌摇床来培养细菌。 目前，我们的实验室没有这种设备，这阻碍了该项目的进展。

The mouse submaxillary (submandibular) gland exhibits both endocrine and exocrine functions, and is the site of synthesis of several biologically active polypeptides, including hormones, growth factors, and digestive enzymes. Although many of these proteins are well studied and characterized, the function of yet many others remain elusive. We have identified a gene, whose protein we termed the mouse submaxillary gland protein (mSMGP), that is highly expressed in this gland and whose function is yet to be elucidated. mSMGP is also found in saliva and other bodily fluids such as tears, sweat and secretions from the seminal vesicle. We have shown that mSMGP binds some strains of both human and mouse oral bacteria. These observations, as well as some clues that have come from a human homologue which can bind to the CD4 molecule and inhibit T lymphocyte apoptosis, led us to hypothesize that the mouse submaxillary gland protein, mSMGP, plays a role in both innate and immune host defense against invading organisms and infection. To address mSMGP function in vivo, we have generated the first mouse mSMGP knockout model. Using histopathological analysis of the knockout mouse and a series of bacterial studies, our current objectives is to fully define the phenotype attributed to loss of mSMGP function, and to examine its interaction with bacteria both in vivo and in vitro. Protection against invading organisms or infection via oral contamination is to date, poorly understood and thus the proposed studies are among the very few that approach the infection phenomenon from an oral perspective. This study will yield critical insights into the function and biology of the mSMGP, and consequently contribute further knowledge about submandibular biology. Vital to our molecular and immunological studies is the routine use of a microplate reader as well as a dissecting microscope. This equipment is also important for training and teaching purposes. Equally critical is the requirement for a bacterial shaker for growing bacteria. At the present time we do not have this equipment in our laboratory and this is impeding on the progress of this project.