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We have compared the site-by-site N-glycosylation status of human lactoferrin (Lf) produced in maize, a monocotyledon, and in tobacco, used as a model dicotyledon. Maize and tobacco plants were stably transformed and recombinant Lf was purified from both seeds and leaves. N-glycopeptides were generated by trypsin digestion of recombinant Lf and purified by reverse-phase HPLC. The N-glycosylation pattern of each site was determined by mass spectrometry. Our results indicated that the N-glycosylation patterns of recombinant Lf produced in maize and tobacco share common structural features. In particular, both N-glycosylation sites of each recombinant Lf are mainly substituted by typical plant paucimannose-type N-glycans, with beta1,2-xylose and alpha1,3-linked fucose at the proximal N-acetylglucosamine. However, tobacco Lf shows a significant amount of processed N-glycans with one or two beta1,2GlcNAc linked to the trimannose core, which are weakly expressed in maize Lf. Finally, no Lewisa epitope was observed on tobacco Lf.

Objective: The clinicopathologic features of a rare familial form of congenital blister are analyzed to assess what factors could lead to the cutaneous split., Methods: Three consanguinous newborn babies had a congenital ichthyosis with eosinophilia and elevated total immunoglobulin E. The type and level of the split were studied on skin biopsies performed on the first day of life., Results: The level of the split was located within the corneocytes. Isolated eosinophilic granules were found at this site. Desmosomes and the dermoepidermal junction were intact. Blisters and eosinophilia resolved in 3 weeks, and there was no recurrence during 4 and 6 years of follow-up in two of the patients., Conclusion: Peeling skin syndrome is a rare blistering disorder of the newborn that should be recognized because it has a good prognosis. Eosinophils may play an important role in the cutaneous split of this congenital ichthyosis.