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ABSTRACT
Numerous pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) poisoning cases have been documented worldwide. Protein covalent binding with reactive metabolites generated from metabolic activation of PAs to form pyrrole-protein adducts is suggested to be a primary mechanism of PA-induced toxicities. The present study aimed to develop antibodies for diagnosis of PA exposure. Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits and proven to specifically recognize pyrrole-protein adducts regardless of amino acid residues modified by the reactive metabolites of PAs. The developed antibodies were successfully applied to detect pyrrole-protein adducts in blood samples obtained from PA-treated rats and exhibited a potential for the clinical diagnosis of PA exposure.
Funding
The present study was supported by Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Fund (JCICM-15-07), Research Grant Council of Hong Kong (GRF Grant no. 471310), One-off Funding for Joint Lab/Research Collaboration (Project Code: 3132968) by CUHK, CUHK School of Biomedical Sciences–Seed Fund for Joint Establishments, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants 81430086 and 81373471 (in parts).