Sulfation of Glycosaminoglycans and Its Implications in Human Health and Disorders

Glycosaminoglycans in extracellular matrix organisation: are concepts from soft matter physics key to understanding the formation of perineuronal nets?

Conventional wisdom has it that proteins fold and assemble into definite structures, and that this defines their function. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are different. In most cases the structures they form have a low degree of order, even when interacting with proteins. Here, we discuss how physical features common to all GAGs-hydrophilicity, charge, linearity and semi-flexibility-underpin the overall properties of GAG-rich matrices. By integrating soft matter physics concepts (e.g. polymer brushes and phase separation) with our molecular understanding of GAG-protein interactions, we can better comprehend how GAG-rich matrices assemble, what their properties are, and how they function. Taking perineuronal nets (PNNs)-a GAG-rich matrix enveloping neurons-as a relevant example, we propose that microphase separation determines the holey PNN anatomy that is pivotal to PNN functions.

Heparan Sulfate Biosynthetic System Is Inhibited in Human Glioma Due to EXT1/2 and HS6ST1/2 Down-Regulation

Heparan sulfate (HS) is an important component of the extracellular matrix and cell surface, which plays a key role in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Functional activity of HS directly depends on its structure, which determined by a complex system of HS biosynthetic enzymes. During malignant transformation, the system can undergo significant changes, but for glioma, HS biosynthesis has not been studied in detail. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of the HS biosynthetic system in human gliomas of different grades. RT-PCR analysis showed that the overall transcriptional activity of the main HS biosynthesis-involved genes (EXT1, EXT2, NDST1, NDST2, GLCE, HS2ST1, HS3ST1, HS3ST2, HS6ST1, HS6ST2, SULF1, SULF2, HPSE) was decreased by 1.5–2-fold in Grade II-III glioma (p < 0.01) and by 3-fold in Grade IV glioma (glioblastoma multiforme, GBM) (p < 0.05), as compared with the para-tumourous tissue. The inhibition was mainly due to the elongation (a decrease in EXT1/2 expression by 3–4-fold) and 6-O-sulfation steps (a decrease in 6OST1/2 expression by 2–5-fold) of the HS biosynthesis. Heparanase (HPSE) expression was identified in 50% of GBM tumours by immunostaining, and was characterised by a high intratumoural heterogeneity of the presence of the HPSE protein. The detected disorganisation of the HS biosynthetic system in gliomas might be a potential molecular mechanism for the changes of HS structure and content in tumour microenvironments, contributing to the invasion of glioma cells and the development of the disease.

Design of protein delivery systems by mimicking extracellular mechanisms for protection of growth factors

Heparin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are responsible for the storage and stabilization of numerous growth factors in the extracellular matrix. In this complex native environment, the efficient binding of the growth factors is determined by multivalent, specific and reversible electrostatic interactions between the sulfate groups of HSPGs and the positively charged amino acids of the growth factor. Inspired by this naturally occurring stabilization process, we propose the use of diblock copolymers of heparin and polyethylene glycol (Hep-b-PEG) for protection and delivery of FGF-2. We describe the encapsulation of FGF-2 into spontaneously assembling polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with Hep-b-PEG in which the Hep block ensures the formation of the PECs, while the PEG moiety confers stability of the generated complex by a stealth corona. Our results demonstrate that by this method we can generate homogeneous complexes (ca. 400nm diameter, PDI 0.29±0.07) with a very high encapsulation efficiency (about 99% encapsulated FGF-2). The release of the growth factor in response to different stimuli such as pH, ionic strength or presence of heparinase was also studied. We report a sustained release of up to 80% during 28days which is not influenced by the presence of heparinase - a result that clearly demonstrates the protective effect of the stealth corona. We also show that FGF-2 remains bioactive as it influences the morphology of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

We describe a biopolymer that uses the way the cells shield a type of proteins (growth factors) to simultaneously assemble, slowly deliver and shield the protein in a "nanocarrier". Growth factors are essential for the regeneration of cartilage, bones by stem cell therapies but have a short life time as when added directly to tissues. Our design makes use of the heparin bioactivity towards such proteins in combination with a polyethylene glycol moiety (PEG) that makes a protecting shell. PEG, is biocompatible and used in approved medicines and countless cosmetic products. The highest novelty is the reaction (oxime click) used to bound these molecules that does not require modification of heparin and allows preservation of its bioactivity.

Glycosaminoglycans from marine sources as therapeutic agents

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in marine animals are different to those of terrestrial organisms, mainly in terms of molecular weight and sulfation. The therapeutic properties of GAGs are related to their ability to interact with proteins, which is very much influenced by sulfation position and patterns. Since currently GAGs cannot be chemically synthesized, they are sourced from natural products, with high intra- but also inter-species variability, in terms of chain length, disaccharide composition and sulfation pattern. Consequently, sulfated GAGs are the most interesting molecules in the marine environment and constitute the focus of the present review. In particular, chondroitin sulfate (CS) appears as the most promising compound. CS-E chains [GlcA-GalNAc(4S,6S)] extracted from squid possess antiviral and anti-metastatic activities and seem to impart signalling properties and improve the mechanical performance of cartilage engineering constructs; Squid CS-E and octopus CS-K [GlcA(3S)-GalNAc(4S)], dermatan sulfate (DS) from sea squirts [-iK units, IdoA(3S)-GalNAc(4S)] and sea urchins [-iE units, IdoA-GalNAc(4S,6S)] and hybrids CS/DS from sharks (-B/iB [GlcA/IdoA(2S)-GalNAc(4S)], -D/iD [GlcA/IdoA(2S)-GalNAc(6S)] and -E/iE units [GlcA/IdoA-GalNAc(4S,6S)]) promote neurite outgrowth and could be valuable materials for nerve regeneration. Also displaying antiviral and anti-metastatic properties, a rare CS with fucosylated branches isolated from sea cucumbers is an anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory agent. In this same line, marine heparin extracted from shrimp and sea squirt has proven anti-inflammatory properties, with the added advantage of decreased risk of bleeding because of its low anticoagulant activity.

Extracellular matrix-inspired assembly of glycosaminoglycan–collagen fibers

We report on the fabrication of fibers exclusively from the extracellular matrix components by interfacial complexation without using any crosslinking agent.