Peritoneal macrophages from 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol-treated NMRI mice secrete transformation-species low molecular weight proteins

Analysis of protein secretion was performed for a macrophage-like cell line , which was established from the peritoneal cells of NMRI mice treated with 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol. The protein secretion pattern was investigated by computerized analysis of high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophor esis (2-D PAGE) and compared to that of control macrophages, intraperitonea lly activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The transformed cells encode a number of low molecular weight proteins (10-20 kDa), which were not obse rved in control cells under identical experimental conditions. In conclusio n the transformation of peritoneal macrophages by 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol leads to an upregulation of polypeptides, in particular of low molecular w eighs proteins. A high similarity between the induced low molecular weight protein secretion by macrophages of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol-treated and t hat of 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin-treated mice was found.