bims-supasi Biomed News
on Sulfation pathways and signalling
Issue of 2022‒11‒20
ten papers selected by
Jonathan Wolf Mueller
University of Birmingham


  1. Methods Mol Biol. 2023 ;2597 159-176
      Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long, linear polysaccharides that are ubiquitously expressed on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix of all animal cells. These complex carbohydrates are composed of alternating glucosamine and uronic acids that can be heterogeneously N- and O-sulfated. The arrangement and orientation of the sulfated sugar residues specify the location of distinct ligand binding sites on the cell surface, and their capacity to bind ligands impacts cell growth and development, the ability to form tissues and organs, and normal physiology. The heterogeneous nature of GAGs and their inherent structural diversity across different tissues, cell types, and disease states creates challenges to characterizing their structure and function. Here, we describe detailed methods to investigate GAG-protein interactions in vitro and evaluate the structural composition of two classes of sulfated GAGs, heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate, using liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and radiolabeling techniques. Overall, these methods facilitate the evaluation of GAG structure and function to uncover the unique roles these molecules play in cell biology and human disease.
    Keywords:  Chondroitin sulfate; Dermatan sulfate; Flow cytometry; Glycosaminoglycans; Heparan sulfate; Heparin; Liquid chromatography; Mass spectrometry; Radioactive labeling
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2835-5_13
  2. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 ;9 1041492
      Non-pigmenting fixed drug eruption (NPFDE) is a subtype of fixed drug eruption (FDE) in which repeated eruptions occur at the same site. Clinically, NPFDE disappears without pigmentation changes; however, it sometimes causes fever or arthralgia. Its histopathological characteristics reportedly include infiltrations of CD8-positive T cells with a paucity of melanocytes as compared to FDE. We present the first case of severe NPFDE exhibiting general symptoms caused by chondroitin sulfate sodium. The patient was a 44-year-old man. Intravenous injection of chondroitin sulfate sodium caused erythema in the affected area. A histopathological examination of the biopsy tissue revealed infiltration of CD3-positive lymphocytes (both CD4-positive and CD8-positive lymphocytes) into the epidermis, minimal liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer of the epidermis, and few dermal melanophages, which may be responsible for non-pigmentation.
    Keywords:  chondroitin sulfate sodium; general symptoms; histopathological examination; melanophages; non-pigmenting fixed drug eruption
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1041492
  3. PeerJ. 2022 ;10 e14323
      Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate is the most abundant circulating androgen in humans and other catarrhines. It is involved in several biological functions, such as testosterone production, glucocorticoid antagonist actions, neurogenesis and neuroplasticty. Although the role of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) in cognition remains elusive, the DHEAS/cortisol ratio has been positively associated with a slower cognitive age-decline and improved mood in humans. Whether this relationship is found in nonhuman primates remains unknown.Methods: We measured DHEAS and cortisol levels in serum of 107 adult chimpanzees to investigate the relationship between DHEAS levels and age. A subset of 21 chimpanzees was used to test the potential associations between DHEAS, cortisol, and DHEAS/cortisol ratio in cognitive function, taking into account age, sex, and their interactions. We tested for cognitive function using the primate cognitive test battery (PCTB) and principal component analyses to categorize cognition into three components: spatial relationship tasks, tool use and social communication tasks, and auditory-visual sensory perception tasks.
    Results: DHEAS levels, but not the DHEAS/cortisol ratio, declined with age in chimpanzees. Our analyses for spatial relationships tasks revealed a significant, positive correlation with the DHEAS/cortisol ratio. Tool use and social communication had a negative relationship with age. Our data show that the DHEAS/cortisol ratio, but not DHEAS individually, is a promising predictor of spatial cognition in chimpanzees.
    Keywords:  Aging; Chimpanzee; Cognition; Cortisol; Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate; Steroid hormones
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14323
  4. Methods Mol Biol. 2023 ;2597 177-186
      The compositional and structural analysis of GAGs is challenging due to their heterogenous structures. Strong anion exchange (SAX) HPLC can aid in the compositional analysis of GAGs and can separate complex mixtures based on charge and degree of sulfation. Herein we describe the digestion and release of GAGs from tissue, and the compositional analysis using SAX-HPLC.
    Keywords:  GlycosaminoglycanHeparan sulfate; Heparin; Liquid chromatography; Strong anion exchange; Sulfation; Ultraviolet detection
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2835-5_14
  5. Small. 2022 Nov 18. e2205012
      The fluid-filled cystic cavity sealed by a dense scar developed following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) has been a major obstacle to neural regeneration and functional recovery. Here the transected lesion is bridged using a functional self-assembling peptide (F-SAP) hydrogel loaded with membrane-permeable intracellular sigma peptide (ISP) and intracellular LAR peptide (ILP), targeted at perturbing chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) inhibitory signaling. As compared to F-SAP hydrogel loaded with chondroitinase ABC, the F-SAP+ISP/ILP promotes a beneficial anti-inflammatory response via manipulation of microglia/macrophages infiltration and assembly of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules into fibrotic matrix rather than scarring tissues. The remodeled ECM creates a permissive environment that supports axon regrowth and the formation of synaptic connections with neurons derived from endogenous neural stem cells. The remodeled networks contribute to functional recovery, as demonstrated by improved hind limb movements and electrophysiological properties. This work proposes a unique mechanism that ECM remodeling induced by CSPG-manipulation-based anti-inflammation can construct a permissive environment for neural regeneration, and shed light on the advancement of manipulation of cascading cellular and molecular events potential for endogenous repair of SCI.
    Keywords:  chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans; endogenous repair; extracellular matrix remodeling; neuroinflammation; spinal cord injury
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202205012
  6. Adv Healthc Mater. 2022 Nov 15. e2201978
      We present a gene-activated surface coating as strategy to design smart biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. The thin-film coating is based on polyelectrolyte multilayers composed of collagen I and chondroitin sulfate, two main biopolymers of the bone extracellular matrix, which are fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly. For further functionalization DNA/lipid-nanoparticles (lipoplexes) are incorporated into the multilayers. The polyelectrolyte multilayer fabrication and lipoplex deposition are analyzed by surface sensitive analytical methods that demonstrate successful thin-film formation, fibrillar structuring of collagen and homogenous embedding of lipoplexes. Culture of mesenchymal stem cells on the lipoplex functionalized multilayer results in excellent attachment and growth of them, but also, their ability to take up cargo like fluorescence-labelled DNA from lipoplexes. The functionalization of the multilayer with lipoplexes encapsulating DNA encoding for transient expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 induces osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, what is shown by mRNA quantification for osteogenic genes and histochemical staining. In summary, the novel gene-functionalized and extracellular matrix mimicking multilayer composed of collagen I, chondroitin sulfate and lipoplexes represents a smart surface functionalization that holds great promise for tissue engineering constructs and implant coatings to promote regeneration of bone and other tissues. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Keywords:  bone morphogenic protein 2; chondroitin sulfate; collagen I; human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells; lipoplexes; osteogenic differentiation; polyelectrolyte multilayers
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202201978
  7. Maturitas. 2022 Nov 04. pii: S0378-5122(22)00222-5. [Epub ahead of print]168 13-19
      Normal aging is linked to various endocrine gland changes, including changes in the adrenal glands. Aging is linked to alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, including an increase in cortisol levels, a disruption of the negative cortisol feedback, and attenuation of cortisol's diurnal pattern. In addition, secretion of aldosterone and adrenal androgens [dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS)] from the adrenal cortex decreases with aging. In this review, we describe normal adrenal function, the adrenal response to stress and immunomodulation in aging individuals as well as the effects of adrenal aging on body composition, metabolic profile, bone health and cognition.
    Keywords:  Adrenal aging; Adrenal glands; Immunosenescence; Stress
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.10.006
  8. Vascul Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 11. pii: S1537-1891(22)00176-8. [Epub ahead of print] 107127
      Complications with atherosclerosis can often lead to fatal clot formation and blood vessel occlusion - also known as atherothrombosis. A key component to the development of atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis is the endothelium and its ability to regulate the balance between prothrombotic and antithrombotic activities. Endothelial surface glycocalyx has a critical role in maintenance of vascular integrity. The endothelial glycocalyx, nitric oxide, prostacyclins, heparan sulfate, thrombomodulin, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor all prevent thrombosis, while P-selectin, among many other factors, favors thrombosis. However, endothelial dysfunction gives rise to the acceleration of thrombotic development and eventually the requirement of antithrombotic therapy. Most FDA-approved anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies today carry a side effect profile of major bleed. Within the past five years, several preclinical studies using different endothelial targets and nanotechnology as a drug delivery method have emerged to target the endothelium and to enhance current antithrombosis without increasing bleed risk. While clinical studies are required, this review illustrates the proof-of-concept of nanotechnology in promoting a greater safety and efficacy profile through multiple in vitro and in vivo studies.
    Keywords:  Antithrombotic; Bleed; Endothelium; Glycocalyx; Heparan sulfate; Nanoparticle; Nitric oxide; Prostacyclin; Prothrombotic; Selectin; Stent; Thrombomodulin; Thrombosis; Tissue factor pathway inhibitor
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vph.2022.107127
  9. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2022 Nov 15. pii: S1050-4648(22)00760-4. [Epub ahead of print]
      Galectins are an evolutionarily ancient family of lectins characterized by their affinity for β-galactosides and a conserved binding site in the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). These lectins are involved in multiple physiological functions, including the recognition of glycans on the surface of viruses and bacteria. This feature supports their role in innate immune responses in marine mollusks. Here, we identified and characterized a galectin, from the mollusk Haliotis rufescens (named HrGal), with four CRDs that belong to the tandem-repeat type. HrGal was purified by affinity chromatography in a galactose-agarose resin and exhibited a molecular mass of 64.11 kDa determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The identity of HrGal was verified by sequencing, confirming that it is a 555 amino acid protein with a mass of 63.86 kDa. This protein corresponds to a galectin reported in GenBank with accession number AHX26603. HrGal is stable in the presence of urea, reducing agents, and ions such as Cu2+ and Zn2+. The recombinant galectin (rHrGal) was purified from inclusion bodies in the presence of these ions. A theoretical model obtained with the AlphaFold server exhibits four non-identical CRDs, with a β sandwich folding and the representative motifs for binding β-galactosides. This allows us to classify HrGal within the tandem repeat galectin family. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis, we found that the mollusk sequences form a monophyletic group of tetradomain galectins unrelated to vertebrate galectins. HrGal showed specificity for galactosides and glucosides but only the sulfated sugars heparin and ι-carrageenan inhibited its hemagglutinating activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 mM and 6.25 X 10-5% respectively. The position of the sulfate groups seemed crucial for binding, both by carrageenans and heparin.
    Keywords:  Carbohydrate-binding protein; Galectin evolution; Haliotis rufescens; Innate immunity; Marine mollusks; Sulfated glycans specific lectin; Tandem-repeat galectin
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2022.11.015
  10. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Nov 15.
      Analytical method for three natural estrogens (NEs) and their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates in waste and river waters using solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) has been available, but problems including poor recovery exist. In order to solve these, some optimizations have been performed in this work. For sample preparation, both rinse and elution solutions were optimized, in which 6 mL of MeOH/water (1:9, v/v), MeOH/Ace/water (10:2:88, v/v/v), and MeOH/NH4OH/water (10:2:88, v/v/v) were determined as the rinse solution, while 6 mL of 2.0% NH4OH/MeOH was determined as the elution solution for conjugated NEs (C-NEs). For mobile phase, addition of NH4F could obviously enhance the signal response of the nine target compounds, and the optimized addition concentration was 0.5 mmol/L. The developed efficient method was validated and showed excellent linearity for each target compound (R2 > 0.998), low limit of quantifications (LOQs, 0.07-1.29 ng/L) in four different water matrices, and excellent recovery efficiencies of 81.0-116.1% in influent, effluent, ultra-pure, and river water samples with low relative standard deviations (RSDs, 0.6-13.6%). The optimized method was successfully applied to influent, effluent, and Pearl River water, among which three NEs were all detected, while five C-NEs were found in the influent, three C-NEs were detected in the effluent, and two C-NEs were found in the Pearl River water, indicating the wide distribution of NEs and C-NEs in different water environments. This work provided a reliable and efficient analytical method for simultaneous trace determination of NEs and C-NEs, which had satisfactory absolute recoveries with low RSDs, low LOQs, and time-saving for both analysis and nitrogen drying.
    Keywords:  Conjugated natural estrogens; Municipal wastewater; River water; Sensitivity; UPLC-MS/MS
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24120-3