Activation of macrophages by sulfated glycopeptides in ovomucin, yolk membrane, and chalazae in chicken eggs.

Sulfated glycopeptides in ovomucin, chalazae and yolk membrane were found to activate cultured macrophage-like cells, J774.1, and TGC-induced macrophages from the peritoneal cavity of male mice. The macrophage-stimulating activity was estimated by the growth and morphology of the cells, H2O2 generation, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production from the cells. The in vitro culture assay with macrophages showed that the protease digests of ovomucin, yolk membrane, and chalazae induced morphologic alteration and increased H2O2 generation and IL-1 production in lower concentration (100 micrograms/ml). The isolation of the components having macrophage-stimulating activity was attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanism. The O-linked carbohydrate chains, consisting of N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, N-acetylneuraminic acid and sulfate, in the sulfated glycopeptide were identified as a component having macrophage-stimulating activity.