# Chemerin Stimulates the Secretory Activity of BME-UV1 Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

## TL;DR

This study shows that chemerin, an adipokine, can stimulate milk protein production in bovine mammary cells without affecting cell survival.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that chemerin specifically enhances αS1-casein secretion in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

## Key findings

- Chemerin at 100 ng/mL increases αS1-casein synthesis and secretion in BME-UV1 cells.
- Leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin do not affect cell viability or apoptosis in BME-UV1 cells.
- BME-UV1 cells express receptors for leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin.

## Abstract

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine gland, synthesizing and secreting multiple signaling molecules termed adipokines. Following the detection of adipokines and their receptors in the mammary tissue of various species, it is indicated that adipokines play a role in the development of the mammary gland. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration-dependent influence of three adipokines, leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin, on the viability, apoptosis, and secretory activity of BME-UV1 bovine mammary epithelial cells. The study confirmed that BME-UV1 cells contain the leptin receptor (Ob-R) protein, and express transcripts of adiponectin (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) and chemerin (CMLKR1 and GPR1) receptors. Regardless of the administered dose, none of the three tested adipokines had an effect on the viability of BME-UV1 cells, and the number of apoptotic cells remained unchanged. However, chemerin (100 ng/mL) stimulated BME-UV1 cells to synthesize and secrete αS1-casein, the major protein component of milk. These results indicate that chemerin may be a potent regulator of the bovine mammary epithelial cells’ functional differentiation, contributing, along with the major systemic hormones and local growth factors, to the development of the bovine mammary gland.