Figure 6 From: Lack of functional alpha-lactalbumin prevents involution in Cape fur seals and identifies the protein as an apoptotic milk factor in mammary gland involution bLALBA effects on CfsMCs. (A) CfsMCs exposed to bLALBA or (B) BSA ●0 mg/ml, ○0.2 mg/ml, ▿0.4 mg/ml, □0.8 mg/ml, ▲1.6 mg/ml. (C) Loss of bLALBA activity by heat treatment or pepsin digestion ●1 mg/ml LALBA heat treated, □1 mg/ml BSA, ○1 mg/ml LALBA, ●1 mg/ml LALBA with pepsin digestion. (D) Morphology of CfsMCs exposed to bLALBA shows cells relinquish contact and detach from the substratum after 24 hours causing their rounding (white arrows). (E) After 2 days and (F) 5 days of bLALBA exposure cells exhibited shrinkage, loss of cell membrane integrity and membrane blebbing (black arrows) and accumulation of apoptotic bodies (black arrowheads). (G) CfsMCs exposed to 1 mg/ml BSA after 24 hours (H) 2 days and (I) 5 days. Scale represents 100 μm.Back to article page