Degradation Fragments Research Articles

Characterization of degradation fragments released by arc-induced ablation of polymers in air

Polymers exposed to high intensity arc plasmas release material in a process called arc-induced ablation. In order to investigate the degradation fragments released due to this process, two different polymeric materials, poly(oxymethylene) copolymer (POM-C) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), were exposed to a transient, high-power arc plasma in air. A small fraction of the ablated material drifting away from the arcing volume was deposited on a fixed glass substrate during the total duration of a 2 kA ac current semicycle. In addition, another fraction of the released material was deposited on a second moving substrate to obtain a time-resolved streak ‘image’ of the arc-induced ablation process. For the first time, mass spectra of degradation fragments produced by arc-induced ablation were obtained from the material deposited on the substrates by using laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-ToF-MS). It was found that oligomers with mean molecular weight ranging between 400 and 600 Da were released from the surface of the studied polymers. The obtained spectra suggest that the detected degradation fragments of POM could be released by random chain scission of the polymer backbone. In turn, random chain scission and splitting-off the side groups are suggested as the main chemical mechanism leading to the release of PMMA fragments under arc-induced ablation.

Biodegradable poly(amidoamine)s with uniform degradation fragments via sequence-controlled macromonomers

This work presents the translation of sequence-controlled synthesis of macromonomers into sequence-defined and selectively degradable precision polymers.

Mechanochemical destruction of Chinese PFOS alternative F-53B

As a Chinese specific PFOS alternative used in hard chrome plating industry, F-53B is a single chlorinated polyfluorinated compound which has similar chemical structure as PFOS and shows nearly the same persistent properties. In order to identify its treatability and the influence from its structure, the present study performed mechanochemical destruction of F-53B/F-53 by milling with KOH, during which the destruction efficiency, reaction process, final products and intermediates were investigated. Compared to PFOS, F-53B showed better treatability by milling with KOH while F-53 did not, indicating that the replacement of one fluorine atom by chlorine rather than the introduction of ether bond improves the degradability of the molecule to some extent. Good performances in both F-53B destruction and mineralization were achieved by milling with KOH. During mechanochemical treatment, the destruction of F-53B started from both the chlorine side and the sulfonate side of the molecule. FTIR and XPS analysis show that the organic C–F bonds were cleaved with the generation of formate and inorganic fluoride. The final products of F-53B after milling with KOH were found to be KF, KCl, K2SO4 and HCOOK, demonstrating mechanochemical treatment to be a promising method for F-53B disposal in aspect of eliminating its persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The existence of intermediates was also confirmed by the 19F NMR spectra and classified as short chain degradation fragments of F-53B through LC-MS-MS analysis. Based on the characterizations and analysis, the degradation pathways of F-53B during milling with KOH was also proposed and discussed.

Inhibition of ADAMTS-13 by Doxycycline Reduces von Willebrand Factor Degradation During Supraphysiological Shear Stress: Therapeutic Implications for Left Ventricular Assist Device-Associated Bleeding

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate a potential therapy for left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–associated bleeding. BackgroundNonsurgical bleeding is the most frequent complication of LVAD support. Recent evidence has demonstrated that supraphysiological shear stress from continuous-flow LVADs accelerates von Willebrand factor (vWF) metabolism by the action of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS-13) (the vWF protease). An acquired vWF deficiency causes bleeding. This suggests that ADAMTS-13 is a clinical target to reduce vWF degradation. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of ADAMTS-13 with doxycycline, an inexpensive, clinically approved drug, reduces vWF degradation during shear stress. MethodsWhole blood was collected from human donors (n = 15), and purified, recombinant ADAMTS-13 protein was obtained. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify the dose relationship between doxycycline and ADAMTS-13 activity prior to shear stress (n = 10). To determine the effect of shear stress, plasma and recombinant ADAMTS-13 were exposed to LVAD-like supraphysiological shear stress (approximately 175 dyne/cm2). vWF multimers and degradation fragments were characterized with electrophoresis and immunoblotting (n = 10). Förster resonance energy transfer was used to quantify plasma ADAMTS-13 activity (n = 10). An ELISA was used to quantify vWF:collagen binding activity. Platelet aggregometry was performed with adenosine 5′-diphosphate, collagen, and ristocetin (vWF-platelet pathway) agonism (n = 10). ResultsDoxycycline significantly decreased plasma ADAMTS-13 activity (p = 0.01) and the activity of recombinant human ADAMTS-13 protein by 21%. After plasma was exposed to shear stress, the same pattern of vWF degradation was observed as previously reported for LVAD patients, and vWF:collagen binding activity decreased significantly (p = 0.002). Doxycycline significantly decreased ADAMTS-13 activity (p = 0.04) and the activity of recombinant ADAMTS-13 by 18%, protected large vWF multimers from degradation, and significantly decreased the levels of the 5 smallest vWF fragments by 12 ± 2% (p < 0.05). As a result, vWF:collagen binding activity was significantly restored (p = 0.004). ADAMTS-13 inhibition with doxycycline did not hyperactivate platelets. ConclusionsInhibition of ADAMTS-13 by doxycycline decreased vWF degradation and improved vWF function during supraphysiological shear stress without hyperactivating platelets. ADAMTS-13 is a clinical target to reduce vWF degradation, improve vWF function, and potentially reduce bleeding during LVAD support.

Turnover of type III collagen reflects disease severity and is associated with progression and microinflammation in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Renal fibrosis is the hallmark of progression to end-stage kidney disease. Non-invasive biomarkers of renal fibrosis could serve as specific end points in clinical trials and improve monitoring and stratification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To address this, we measured markers of collagen type III turnover in urine and serum of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients. We measured the collagen type III pro-peptide (Pro-C3), representing production, and a neo-epitope fragment (C3M), representing a specific degradation fragment of collagen type III, in urine and serum samples from two cohorts of IgAN patients using newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. With increasing CKD stage, urinary C3M gradually decreased (mean C3M/creatinine: 17.3 ng/mg in CKD stage 1, 3.5 ng/mg in CKD stage 5) whereas urinary Pro-C3 gradually increased (mean Pro-C3/creatinine: 4.1 ng/mg in CKD stage 1, 20.8 ng/mg in CKD stage 5). The urinary Pro-C3/C3M ratio, a measure of collagen type III turnover, significantly increased in advanced CKD stages. Serum C3M was not related to CKD stage but was associated with microinflammation. Urinary C3M was significantly lower in patients whose CKD stage subsequently progressed compared with those who did not progress. Our results suggest that the combination of urinary markers of collagen type III turnover, in particular the urinary Pro-C3/C3M ratio, is a potential novel, non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tool to specifically monitor extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling in kidney fibrosis.

PVC degradation by Fenton reaction and biological decomposition

The possibility of the degradation of the recalcitrant polymer polyvinylchloride (PVC) was the object of our study. For this purpose the Fenton reaction with subsequent biodecomposition step was successfully used. Molecular degradation fragments were determined by HPLC and GC-FID method. After the first step - degradation of PVC by the Fenton reaction, the formation of trans-1,2-dichloroethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene was observed. Also more complex molecules such as benzene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene were identified. Probably these chemical compounds are the products of phthalates decomposition. The resulted mixture was in the second step used as a substrate for anaerobic biogas production. Biological degradation of used COD was α = 67.3% and F/I = 0.004 [gCOD g−1 VS]. The decomposition of other compounds such as trans-1,2-dichlorethylene (60%), cis-1,2-dichlorethylene (70%) was also observed. Moreover, benzene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene were completely removed during the biological decomposition step. It is possible to assume that Fenton pretreatment improves the degradation of PVC and, by this way the low molecular weight fragments are formed. Subsequently degradation products of PVC by GC-FID were identified. In next steps, the digestion of these fragments by anaerobic microorganisms was observed. It was also found that in anaerobic sludge the degradation of low molecular weight fragments is carried out. One can conclude that these small fragments are used by microorganisms as biological substrate.

Inflammation: Friend and Foe

Inflammation: Friend and Foe

Matrix Metalloproteinase Mediated Type I Collagen Degradation — An Independent Risk Factor for Mortality in Women

Chronic fibro-proliferative diseases are associated with nearly 45% of all deaths in the developed world. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) mediated remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in disease development. Degradation of type I collagen is considered having a major role in this matter. C1M is a biomarker measuring type I collagen degradation fragments in blood. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether MMP mediated type I collagen degradation (C1M) was predictive of mortality in a large prospective cohort of Danish women aged 48–89 (n=5855).Subjects with high serum C1M showed significant increased mortality. The adjusted three year HR was 2.02 [95% CI: 1.48–2.76] for all-cause mortality, 2.32 [95% CI: 1.51–3.56] for cancer and 1.77 [95% CI: 0.98–3.17] for cardiovascular diseases. The adjusted nine year HR was 1.50 [95% CI: 1.28–1.75] for all-cause mortality, 1.49 [95% CI: 1.16–1.90] for cancer and 1.69 [95% CI: 1.27–2.24] for cardiovascular diseases.High MMP-mediated type I collagen degradation was associated with increased mortality. Subjects with high C1M had a 2-fold increase in mortality compared to subjects with low levels of this collagen degradation product.

(10) - LVAD-Associated von Willebrand Factor Degradation Alters Angiogenesis: A Mechanistic Link Between LVAD Support, Gastrointestinal Angiodysplasia, and Bleeding?

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding occurs frequently in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Evidence suggests a major role for von Willebrand Factor (vWF). However, a mechanistic link between vWF degradation and GI angiodysplasia has not been explored. We investigated whether LVAD-associated vWF degradation fragments generated by shear stress and ADAMTS-13 (the vWF protease) affected angiogenesis in vitro.

Elevated levels of the complement activation product C4d in bronchial fluids for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Molecular markers in bronchial fluids may contribute to the diagnosis of lung cancer. We previously observed a significant increase of C4d-containing complement degradation fragments in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatants from lung cancer patients in a cohort of 50 cases and 22 controls (CUN cohort). The present study was designed to determine the diagnostic performance of these complement fragments (hereinafter jointly referred as C4d) in bronchial fluids. C4d levels were determined in BAL supernatants from two independent cohorts: the CU cohort (25 cases and 26 controls) and the HUVR cohort (60 cases and 98 controls). A series of spontaneous sputum samples from 68 patients with lung cancer and 10 controls was also used (LCCCIO cohort). Total protein content, complement C4, complement C5a, and CYFRA 21-1 were also measured in all cohorts. C4d levels were significantly increased in BAL samples from lung cancer patients. The area under the ROC curve was 0.82 (95%CI = 0.71–0.94) and 0.67 (95%CI = 0.58–0.76) for the CU and HUVR cohorts, respectively. In addition, unlike the other markers, C4d levels in BAL samples were highly consistent across the CUN, CU and HUVR cohorts. Interestingly, C4d test markedly increased the sensitivity of bronchoscopy in the two cohorts in which cytological data were available (CUN and HUVR cohorts). Finally, in the LCCCIO cohort, C4d levels were higher in sputum supernatants from patients with lung cancer (area under the ROC curve: 0.7; 95%CI = 0.56–0.83). In conclusion, C4d is consistently elevated in bronchial fluids from lung cancer patients and may be used to improve the diagnosis of the disease.

Preclinical Models for Translational Investigations of Left Ventricular Assist Device-Associated von Willebrand Factor Degradation.

Evidence suggests a major role for von Willebrand factor (vWF) in left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-associated bleeding. However, the mechanisms of vWF degradation during LVAD support are not well understood. We developed: (i) a simple and inexpensive vortexer model; and (ii) a translational LVAD mock circulatory loop to perform preclinical investigations of LVAD-associated vWF degradation. Whole blood was obtained from LVAD patients (n = 8) and normal humans (n = 15). Experimental groups included: (i) blood from continuous-flow LVAD patients (baseline vs. post-LVAD, n = 8); (ii) blood from normal humans (baseline vs. 4 h in vitro laboratory vortexer, ∼ 2400 rpm, shear stress ∼175 dyne/cm(2) , n = 8); and (iii) blood from normal humans (baseline vs. 12 h HeartMate II mock circulatory loop, 10 000 rpm, n = 7). vWF multimers and degradation fragments were characterized with electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Blood from LVAD patients, blood exposed to in vitro supraphysiologic shear stress, and blood circulated through an LVAD mock circulatory loop demonstrated a similar profile of decreased large vWF multimers and increased vWF degradation fragments. A laboratory vortexer and an LVAD mock circulatory loop reproduced the pathologic degradation of vWF that occurs during LVAD support. Both models are appropriate for preclinical studies of LVAD-associated vWF degradation.

Serum and urine markers of collagen degradation reflect renal fibrosis in experimental kidney diseases.

The extent of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the best predictor for progression of most renal diseases. To date, no established biomarkers of renal fibrosis exist. We measured circulating and urinary-specific matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-generated collagen type I and III degradation fragments (C1M and C3M) and an N-terminal propeptide of collagen III (Pro-C3), as markers of collagen type III production, in three rat models of CKD and fibrosis: renal mass reduction (5/6 nephrectomy), progressive glomerulonephritis (chronic anti-Thy1.1 nephritis) and adenine crystal-induced nephropathy. Healthy rats served as controls. In all three models, the animals developed significant CKD and renal fibrosis. Compared with healthy rats, serum C1M and C3M significantly increased in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy and adenine nephropathy (2- to 3-fold), but not with chronic anti-Thy1.1 nephritis. Urinary C1M and C3M levels increased 9- to 100-fold in all three models compared with controls. Urinary degradation markers correlated closely with renal deposition of collagen type I and type III. Pro-C3 was significantly increased only in the urine of 5/6 nephrectomy rats. In particular, urinary markers of MMP-driven collagen degradation, rather than collagen production markers, may represent a novel, specific and non-invasive diagnostic approach to assess kidney fibrosis.

Overexpression of ADAMTS-7 leads to accelerated initiation and progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

The aim of the present study is to determine whether ADAMTS-7 contributes to the onset and severity of joint inflammation in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis. ADAMTS-7 was found to be elevated in the course of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). ADAMTS-7 transgenic (TG) mice were more susceptible to the induction of CIA. The onset of CIA was accelerated and the arthritic severity was increased in TG mice compared to wild-type mice. The overall incidence was also significantly higher in TG mice. In addition, arthritic TG mice displayed significantly higher clinical and histological arthritis scores. The COMP degradative fragments were significantly elevated in articular cartilage and sera in CIA models of TG mice. Furthermore, the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-17 was also increased in serum and draining lymph nodes of arthritic TG mice. Therefore, these data provided the in vivo evidence, suggesting that ADAMTS-7 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, and that inhibition of ADAMTS-7 may be a potential target to ameliorate the severity of inflammatory arthritis.

Ultraviolet degradation of poly(vinyl alcohol) used in restoration of historical and cultural properties

Six types of poly(vinyl alcohol) were degraded by ultraviolet irradiation with wavelengths of 185, 254, and 365 nm, respectively. The degradation fragments were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT/IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) including two-dimensional (2D) NMR measurements. Absorption peaks assigned to C–O at 1020, 1090, 1180, and 1250 cm−1 were observed in ATR-FT/IR spectra, and molecular weights decreased from 9 × 104 to about 7 × 104 in GPC measurements. In addition, spectra of proton and carbon NMR including 2D-NMR were clearly measured and analyzed after ultraviolet irradiation of PVA films from both front and back sides. Based on these results, the degradation mechanism is discussed and concluded.

Anti-lubricin monoclonal antibodies created using lubricin-knockout mice immunodetect lubricin in several species and in patients with healthy and diseased joints.

Lubricin, encoded by the gene PRG4, is the principal lubricant in articulating joints. We immunized mice genetically deficient for lubricin (Prg4-/-) with purified human lubricin, and generated several mAbs. We determined each mAb’s binding epitope, sensitivity, and specificity using biologic samples and recombinant lubricin sub-domains, and we also developed a competition ELISA assay to measure lubricin in synovial fluid and blood. We found the mAbs all recognized epitopes containing O-linked oligosaccharides conjugated to the peptide motif KEPAPTTT. By western blot, the mAbs detected lubricin in 1 μl of synovial fluid from several animal species, including human. The mAbs were specific for lubricin since they did not cross-react with other synovial fluid constituents from patients with camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis syndrome (CACP), who genetically lack this protein. The competition ELISA detected lubricin in blood samples from healthy individuals but not from patients with CACP, indicating blood can be used in a diagnostic test for patients suspected of having CACP. Lubricin epitopes in blood do not represent degradation fragments from synovial fluid. Therefore, although blood lubricin levels did not differentiate patients with inflammatory joint disease from healthy controls, epitope-specific anti-lubricin mAbs could be useful for monitoring disease activity in synovial fluid.

A novel role of low molecular weight hyaluronan in breast cancer metastasis.

Low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA), a degradation fragment of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA), has been proven to play a crucial role in cancer progression. However, no systematic clinical study of breast cancer has been performed to correlate LMW-HA levels with metastasis. In the present study, we analyzed 176 serum specimens and found for the first time that the serum LMW-HA (but not total HA) level significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, suggesting that serum LMW-HA represents a better prognostic indicator of breast cancer progression than HA. Similarly, we found that breast cancer cell lines displaying higher invasive potential had a higher LMW-HA concentration than less-invasive cell lines. This higher LMW-HA level was accompanied by the overexpression of hyaluronan synthase (HAS2) and hyaluronidase (both HYAL1 and HYAL2). Of great importance, decreasing LMW-HA production significantly inhibited breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Overall, our results suggest that during cancer progression, cancer cells may actively remodel their microenvironment via an autocrine/paracrine-like process, resulting in elevated LMW-HA levels, which in turn may facilitate cancer progression by promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Therefore, cancer-associated LMW-HA may be a more promising molecular biomarker than total HA for detecting metastasis and may have further applications in breast cancer treatment.

Study on the thermal degradation behavior of sulfone-containing polybenzoxazines via Py-GC-MS

A stepwise-temperature testing method by Py-GC-MS was applied to study the thermal degradation processes of two polybenzoxazines containing sulfone group. This new method can give lots of information about degradation gas products and the variation of chemical structures in bulk. The results showed that (1) for 4,4′-sulfonylbiphenol/aniline based polybenzoxazine (PBS), the thermal degradation fragments tend to form heterocyclic compounds in bulk phase; (2) for 4,4′-sulfonyldianiline/phenol based polybenzoxazine (PBAS), crosslinked phenol and aniline structures were preferentially produced from the thermal decomposition fragments in bulk phase. Therefore, it means that PBS is more likely to generate thermally stable fused rings like chars in bulk during pyrolysis process. As the result, a deep insight into the pyrolysis process of polybenzoxazines was achieved by this method, which probably provides a new way to study the degradation behavior of other polymers.

PRO-C3-levels in patients with HIV/HCV-Co-infection reflect fibrosis stage and degree of portal hypertension.

BackgroundLiver-related deaths represent the leading cause of mortality among patients with HIV/HCV-co-infection, and are mainly related to complications of fibrosis and portal hypertension. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the structural changes by the assessment of extracellular matrix (ECM) derived degradation fragments in peripheral blood as biomarkers for fibrosis and portal hypertension in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection.MethodsFifty-eight patients (67% male, mean age: 36.5 years) with HIV/HCV-co-infection were included in the study. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured in forty-three patients. The fibrosis stage was determined using FIB4 -Score. ECM degraded products in peripheral blood were measured using specific ELISAs (C4M, MMP-2/9 degraded type IV collagen; C5M, MMP-2/9 degraded type V collagen; PRO-C3, MMP degraded n-terminal propeptide of type III collagen).ResultsAs expected, HVPG showed strong and significant correlations with FIB4-index (rs = 0.628; p = 7*10−7). Interestingly, PRO-C3 significantly correlated with HVPG (rs = 0.354; p = 0.02), alanine aminotransferase (rs = 0.30; p = 0.038), as well as with FIB4-index (rs = 0.3230; p = 0.035). C4M and C5M levels were higher in patients with portal hypertension (HVPG>5 mmHg).ConclusionPRO-C3 levels reflect liver injury, stage of liver fibrosis and degree of portal hypertension in HIV/HCV-co-infected patients. Furthermore, C4M and C5M were associated with increased portal pressure. Circulating markers of hepatic ECM remodeling might be helpful in the diagnosis and management of liver disease and portal hypertension in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection.

Pathologic von Willebrand factor degradation with a left ventricular assist device occurs via two distinct mechanisms: Mechanical demolition and enzymatic cleavage

Bleeding is an important source of morbidity in patients with a left ventricular assist device. Evidence suggests a major role for von Willebrand factor. However, limited data exist to explain the mechanism(s) of von Willebrand factor degradation during left ventricular assist device support. We investigated whether left ventricular assist device-related shear stress and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS-13, the von Willebrand factor protease) altered von Willebrand factor metabolism. Whole blood was collected from patients (n=8) with a left ventricular assist device. von Willebrand factor multimers and degradation fragments were characterized with electrophoresis and immunoblotting. To investigate mechanisms, an invitro model was developed to generate the supraphysiologic shear stress of a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device. Normal human blood (n=8) was cycled in a laboratory vortexer (∼2400 rpm, shear stress ∼175 dyne/cm(2), 4 hours) to reproduce the pathologic degradation of von Willebrand factor that occurs during left ventricular assist device support. To investigate the specific mechanistic roles of shear stress and ADAMTS-13 in von Willebrand factor degradation, purified von Willebrand factor protein ± ADAMTS-13 protease were exposed to supraphysiologic shear stress in the vortexer. von Willebrand factor multimers and 11 von Willebrand factor degradation fragments were characterized with electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Left ventricular assist device support reduced large von Willebrand factor multimers and significantly increased 10/11 von Willebrand factor degradation fragments (P<.05). Normal human blood exposed to supraphysiologic shear stress in the vortexer demonstrated the same profile of von Willebrand factor degradation fragments as in a patient with a left ventricular assist device. Supraphysiologic shear stress alone caused modest mechanical demolition of large von Willebrand factor multimers into smaller multimers but did not greatly generate von Willebrand factor fragments. In the presence of supraphysiologic shear stress, ADAMTS-13 completely eliminated large von Willebrand factor multimers and generated statistically significant amounts of 11/11 von Willebrand factor degradation fragments (P<.05). The profile of von Willebrand factor fragments generated was identical to the profile that was observed invivo in patients with a left ventricular assist device. Supraphysiologic shear stress alone causes physical demolition of large von Willebrand factor multimers into smaller von Willebrand factor multimers. In the setting of supraphysiologic shear stress, ADAMTS-13 cleaves large von Willebrand factor multimers into von Willebrand factor degradation fragments. ADAMTS-13 may be a therapeutic target to reduce von Willebrand factor degradation and bleeding complications in patients with a left ventricular assist device.

Effect of Rothia mucilaginosa enzymes on gliadin (gluten) structure, deamidation, and immunogenic epitopes relevant to celiac disease.

Rothia mucilaginosa, a natural microbial inhabitant of the oral cavity, cleaves gluten (gliadin) proteins at regions that are resistant to degradation by mammalian enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent the R. mucilaginosa cell-associated enzymes abolish gliadin immunogenic properties. Degradation of total gliadins and highly immunogenic gliadin 33-mer or 26-mer peptides was monitored by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC, and fragments were sequenced by liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Peptide deamidation by tissue transglutaminase (TG2), a critical step in rendering the fragments more immunogenic, was assessed by TG2-mediated cross-linking to monodansyl cadaverine (MDC), and by a +1-Da mass difference by LC-ESI-MS. Survival of potential immunogenic gliadin epitopes was determined by use of the R5 antibody-based ELISA. R. mucilaginosa-associated enzymes cleaved gliadins, 33-mer and 26-mer peptides into smaller fragments. TG2-mediated cross-linking showed a perfect inverse relationship with intact 33-mer and 26-mer peptide levels, and major degradation fragments showed a slow rate of MDC cross-linking of 6.18 ± 2.20 AU/min compared with 97.75 ± 10.72 and 84.17 ± 3.25 AU/min for the intact 33-mer and 26-mer, respectively, which was confirmed by reduced TG2-mediated deamidation of the fragments in mass spectrometry. Incubation of gliadins with Rothia cells reduced R5 antibody binding by 20, 82, and 97% after 30 min, 2 h, and 5 h, respectively, which was paralleled by reduced reactivity of enzyme-treated 33-mer and 26-mer peptides in the R5 competitive ELISA. Our broad complementary approach to validate gluten degrading activities qualifies R. mucilaginosa-associated enzymes as promising tools to neutralize T cell immunogenic properties for treatment of celiac disease.