Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation

Abstract Buffalo milk is renowned for its nutritional and functional properties. Milk somatic cells protect the mammary gland, contribute to the functionality of the udder, and also aid in the health and development of newborn calves, particularly during the critical early lactation period. However,...

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Main Authors: Priyanka M. Kittur, Lija Satheesan, Narasimha Tanuj Gunturu, Yallappa M. Somagond, A. P. Madhusoodan, Ravi Kumar Gandham, Rani Alex, Ajay Kumar Dang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08433-0
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author Priyanka M. Kittur
Lija Satheesan
Narasimha Tanuj Gunturu
Yallappa M. Somagond
A. P. Madhusoodan
Ravi Kumar Gandham
Rani Alex
Ajay Kumar Dang
author_facet Priyanka M. Kittur
Lija Satheesan
Narasimha Tanuj Gunturu
Yallappa M. Somagond
A. P. Madhusoodan
Ravi Kumar Gandham
Rani Alex
Ajay Kumar Dang
author_sort Priyanka M. Kittur
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Buffalo milk is renowned for its nutritional and functional properties. Milk somatic cells protect the mammary gland, contribute to the functionality of the udder, and also aid in the health and development of newborn calves, particularly during the critical early lactation period. However, proteomic changes in buffalo milk somatic cells during the transition from colostrum to mature milk remain poorly understood. This study was formulated to characterize the proteomic dynamics of buffalo milk somatic cells using Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) during colostrum-to-mature milk transition and to reveal shifts in metabolic and immune functions. A total of 4,429 high-confidence proteins were identified in the colostrum and milk of buffaloes. Up-regulated proteins [Padj<0.05, log2(Fold change, FC) ≥ 1.5] across different days of sampling were involved in metabolism of sugars, lipids, and amino acids, pentose-phosphate pathway, insulin-signaling, biosynthesis of amino acids and cofactors, and ubiquitin-proteasome system. Down-regulated proteins [Padj<0.05, log2(FC) ≤ 0.5] were associated with lipid transport, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, mineral balance, complement-coagulation system, antigen processing and presentation, and mRNA processing. A notable shift in hub proteins was detected, and selected ones were validated by real-time qPCR. These findings highlight significant changes in the proteome profile, biological functions, and specific pathways in milk somatic cells during early lactation in buffaloes. In conclusion, milk somatic cells contribute not only to mammary immunity but also to the nutritional support of the growing calf.
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spelling doaj-art-9f70e28e9a144e1a9ff43aa4389f81aa2025-08-20T03:03:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-08433-0Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactationPriyanka M. Kittur0Lija Satheesan1Narasimha Tanuj Gunturu2Yallappa M. Somagond3A. P. Madhusoodan4Ravi Kumar Gandham5Rani Alex6Ajay Kumar Dang7Lactation and Immuno-Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, National Dairy Research InstituteLactation and Immuno-Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, National Dairy Research InstituteNational Bureau of Animal Genetic ResourcesLactation and Immuno-Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, National Dairy Research InstituteLactation and Immuno-Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, National Dairy Research InstituteNational Bureau of Animal Genetic ResourcesNational Dairy Research InstituteLactation and Immuno-Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, National Dairy Research InstituteAbstract Buffalo milk is renowned for its nutritional and functional properties. Milk somatic cells protect the mammary gland, contribute to the functionality of the udder, and also aid in the health and development of newborn calves, particularly during the critical early lactation period. However, proteomic changes in buffalo milk somatic cells during the transition from colostrum to mature milk remain poorly understood. This study was formulated to characterize the proteomic dynamics of buffalo milk somatic cells using Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) during colostrum-to-mature milk transition and to reveal shifts in metabolic and immune functions. A total of 4,429 high-confidence proteins were identified in the colostrum and milk of buffaloes. Up-regulated proteins [Padj<0.05, log2(Fold change, FC) ≥ 1.5] across different days of sampling were involved in metabolism of sugars, lipids, and amino acids, pentose-phosphate pathway, insulin-signaling, biosynthesis of amino acids and cofactors, and ubiquitin-proteasome system. Down-regulated proteins [Padj<0.05, log2(FC) ≤ 0.5] were associated with lipid transport, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, mineral balance, complement-coagulation system, antigen processing and presentation, and mRNA processing. A notable shift in hub proteins was detected, and selected ones were validated by real-time qPCR. These findings highlight significant changes in the proteome profile, biological functions, and specific pathways in milk somatic cells during early lactation in buffaloes. In conclusion, milk somatic cells contribute not only to mammary immunity but also to the nutritional support of the growing calf.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08433-0ColostrumCompositionHub-proteinsMilk somatic cellsLC-MS/MS
spellingShingle Priyanka M. Kittur
Lija Satheesan
Narasimha Tanuj Gunturu
Yallappa M. Somagond
A. P. Madhusoodan
Ravi Kumar Gandham
Rani Alex
Ajay Kumar Dang
Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
Scientific Reports
Colostrum
Composition
Hub-proteins
Milk somatic cells
LC-MS/MS
title Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
title_full Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
title_fullStr Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
title_full_unstemmed Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
title_short Proteomic analysis of Buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
title_sort proteomic analysis of buffalo milk somatic cells reveals metabolomic and immunological transitions during early lactation
topic Colostrum
Composition
Hub-proteins
Milk somatic cells
LC-MS/MS
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08433-0
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