Selectin-carbohydrate interactions and the initiation of the inflammatory response

Embryonic implantation in galectin 1/galectin 3 double mutant mice

Galectin 1 and galectin 3 are first expressed in the trophectoderm cells of the implanting embryo and have been implicated in the process of implantation. However, we had previously shown that the lack of galectin 1 in galectin 1 null mutant mice is compatible with implantation. In this study, we describe the generation of galectin 3 null mutant mice and show that they are viable and have no overt abnormalities. The importance of galectin 1 and galectin 3 in implantation was assessed by obtaining double mutant mice [gal1 -/-; gal3 -/-]. We find that implantation can still occur in the absence of both galectin 1 and galectin 3. However, we show that galectin 5, a third member of this gene family, is also present in the blastocyst at the time of implantation.

The polypeptide backbone of recombinant human zona pellucida glycoprotein-3 initiates acrosomal exocytosis in human spermatozoa in vitro

Human gamete interaction is of fundamental biological importance, yet the molecular interactions between spermatozoa and the zona pellucida are poorly understood. Surprisingly, the role of the polypeptide backbone of zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3), the putative ligand for spermatozoa activation, has been largely overlooked. Purified recombinant human ZP3 was expressed in Escherichia coli as a C-terminal fusion to the dimeric glutathione S-transferase (GST) from Schistosoma japonicum and was shown to induce acrosomal exocytosis in live, capacitated human spermatozoa. The level of exocytosis is comparable with that obtained using purified, glycosylated, recombinant human ZP3 [van Duin, M., Polman, J.E.M., DeBreet, I.T.M., Van Ginneken, K., Bunschoten, H., Grootenhuis, A., Brindle, J. and Aitken, R.J. (1994). Biol Reprod. 51, 607-617]. These data imply that the polypeptide chain of human ZP3 contributes to recognition of spermatozoa during acrosomal exocytosis in vitro.

Differential interactions of heparin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans with the selectins. Implications for the use of unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins as therapeutic agents

The selectins are calcium-dependent C-type lectins that bind certain sialylated, fucosylated, sulfated glycoprotein ligands. L-selectin also recognizes endothelial proteoglycans in a calcium-dependent manner, via heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan chains enriched in unsubstituted glucosamine units. We now show that these HS chains can also bind P-selectin, but not E-selectin. However, while L-selectin binding requires micromolar levels of free calcium, P-selectin recognition is largely divalent cation-independent. Despite this, HS chains bound to P-selectin are eluted by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), but only at high concentrations. Porcine intestinal mucosal (mast cell-derived) heparin (PIM-heparin) shows similar properties, with no binding to E-selectin, calcium-dependent binding of a subfraction to L-selectin and to P-selectin, and calcium-independent binding of a larger fraction to P-selectin, the latter being disrupted by high EDTA concentrations. Analysis of defined heparin fragment pools shows a size dependence for interaction, with tetradecasaccharides showing easily detectable binding to L- and P-selectin affinity columns. L-selectin binding fragments include more heavily sulfated and epimerized regions and, as with the endothelial HS chains, they are enriched in free amino groups. The P-selectin binding component includes this fraction as well as some less highly modified regions. Thus, endothelium-derived HS chains and mast cell-derived heparins could play a role in modulating the biology of selectins in vivo. Notably, P- and L-selectin binding to sialyl-Lewisx and to HL-60 cells (which are known to carry the native ligand PSGL-1) is inhibited by unfractionated pharmaceutical heparin preparations at concentrations 12-50-fold lower than those recommended for effective anticoagulation in vivo. In contrast, two low molecular weight heparins currently considered as clinical replacements for unfractionated heparin are much poorer inhibitors. Thus, patients undergoing heparin therapy for other reasons may be experiencing clinically significant inhibition of L- and P-selectin function, and the current switchover to low-molecular weight heparins may come at some loss of this effect. Low-dose unfractionated heparin should be investigated as a treatment option for acute and chronic diseases in which P- and L-selectin play pathological roles.

Ligand-targeted liposomes

Liposomes have gained increased attention as systemic drug delivery vehicles following recent regulatory approvals of several vesicle-formulated drugs. These products have demonstrated improved therapeutic indices over their corresponding conventional drugs by avoiding sensitive tissues and/or increasing delivery to specific targets in vivo. They have achieved these improvements primarily through physical means: (1) by retaining drug within vesicles while in the circulation, thus avoiding or minimizing uptake by sensitive normal tissues; and (2) by selectively extravasating into target tissues, releasing active drug. In order to improve upon these therapies in the future, clinically active liposome delivery systems most likely will need to include site-directed surface ligands to further enhance their selective delivery. This may be crucial for the in vivo transport and delivery of macromolecules, including antisense, oligonucleotide aptamers, and genes, which-unlike most conventional drugs-do not circulate well and often require cellular uptake by fusion, endocytosis, or other processes to reach their active sites. This manuscript reviews technologies applicable to directing liposomes and their contents to selected in vivo targets using surface-bound, site-specific ligands. Presented are the biological barriers to be overcome, criteria for selecting the determinants to be targeted, various targeting ligands and overall delivery system design considerations. Several novel targets as well as novel ligand constructs for site-directed therapy are reviewed and discussed. Systemic liposome therapy, which currently must be administered by the intravenous route, is the principal focus of this analysis.

Chemical approaches to glycobiology and emerging carbohydrate-based therapeutic agents

The contributions of cell surface oligosaccharides to critical biological processes such as leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, bacterial and viral infection, and immunological recognition of tumor cells and foreign tissue are now understood in significant molecular detail. These discoveries at the forefront of biological research have motivated the design of synthetic glycoconjugates as tools for the fundamental study of glycobiology and as candidates for future generations of therapeutic and pharmaceutical reagents. During the past two years, significant progress has been made in the design and synthesis of carbohydrate-based inhibitors of selectins, receptors involved in the attachment of leukocytes to endothelial cells at sites of inflammation. Monomeric and multivalent oligosaccharides that bind to bacterial and viral receptors have been shown to abrogate infection by agents such as Helicobacter pilori, influenza virus and HIV. The identification of certain cell surface oligosaccharides as potent antigens has prompted their use in tumor vaccines, and inspired new approaches to the management of tissue rejection subsequent to xenotransplantation. To better understand how cell surface oligosaccharides function within their native context, novel chemical approaches to modulating cell surface oligosaccharides structures are now being developed. These stratergies for cell surface 'glycoform remodeling' promise to facilitate the investigation of carbohydrate mediated cell-cell interactions.

Glycotargeting: the preparation of glyco-amino acids and derivatives from unprotected reducing sugars

Lectins are present on the surface of many cells. Many lectins actively recycle from membrane to endosomes and efficiently take up glycoconjugates in a sugar-dependent manner. On this basis, glycoconjugates, specially those obtained by chemical means, are good candidates as carriers of drugs, oligonucleotides or genes. In this paper, we present a panel of methods suitable to transform unprotected reducing oligosaccharides into glycosynthons designed to be easily linked to therapeutic agents. All the glycosynthons presented here are glycosylamines or derivatives, mainly glyco-amino acids or glycopeptides. Glycosylamines are easy to obtain, but they are very labile in slightly acidic or neutral medium; they must be stabilized, by acylation for instance. The coupling efficiency of a reducing sugar with ammonia as well as an alkylamine or an arylamine is higher at high temperature, however, because of the Amadori rearrangement, special conditions have to be selected to prepare the expected glycosylamine derivative with a high yield. Glycosylamines are easily acylated by N-protected amino acids, or by halogeno acids which can then be transformed into amino acids. Alternatively, unprotected reducing oligosaccharides may very efficiently be transformed into N-glycosyl-amino acids and then protected by N-acylation. With a glutamyl derivative having both the alpha-amino and the gamma-carboxylic groups free, the coupling and the acylation, which is intramolecular, are roughly quantitative. N-oligosaccharyl-amino acid derivatives are interesting glycosynthons, because their sugar moiety bears the specificity towards membrane lectins while the amino acid part has the capacity to easily substitute a therapeutic agent.

Globoside-dependent adhesion of human embryonal carcinoma cells, based on carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction, initiates signal transduction and induces enhanced activity of transcription factors AP1 and CREB

Undifferentiated human embryonal carcinoma cells are characterized by high expression of lactoneotetraosylceramide (nLc4), globoside (Gb4), and extended globo-series glycosphingolipids (GSLs) termed "stage-specific embryonic antigens 3 and 4" (SSEA-3 and -4). Expression of these GSLs declines in association with a decline of homotypic adhesion during the differentiation process. Therefore, these GSLs may play an essential role in adhesion among these cells. As an example, human embryonal carcinoma 2102 cells display strong adhesion to plates coated with Gb4 ("Gb4-dependent cell adhesion"). This adhesion, which simulates homotypic 2102 cell aggregation, is based on interaction between Gb4 and nLc4, or between Gb4 and GalGb4 (IV3GalGb4; the major SSEA-3 epitope), as indicated by the following observations: (i) adhesion of 2102 cells or GSL-liposomes to GSL-coated plates in various combinations; (ii) inhibition of Gb4-dependent 2102 cell adhesion by preincubation of cells with anti-SSEA-3 or anti-nLc4 antibodies, or by pretreatment of Gb4-coated plates with aqueous micellar solution of nLc4 or GalGb4; (iii) decline of the cell adhesion in association with retinoic acid-induced differentiation, whereby SSEA-3 and nLc4 levels are reduced. Since cell adhesion is an essential prerequisite for induction of differentiation, as observed at each step of embryogenesis, expression of seven transcription factors following adhesion of 2102 cells to Gb4-coated plates, and to detergent-insoluble substrate adhesion matrix prepared from 2102 cells, were studied. In both types of adhesion, a strong enhancement of AP1 and CREB site binding activity was observed during the early stage (15-60 min following initial adhesion). Although 2102 cells showed strong adhesion to Gg3-coated plates, based on interaction between Gg3 and Gb4, adhesion of the cells to Gg3 did not cause changes of AP1 and CREB activity. No other transcription factors showed changes induced by Gg3- or Gb4-dependent adhesion.

Affinity and kinetic analysis of L-selectin (CD62L) binding to glycosylation-dependent cell-adhesion molecule-1

The selectin family of cell adhesion molecules mediates the tethering and rolling of leukocytes on blood vessel endothelium. It has been postulated that the molecular basis of this highly dynamic adhesion is the low affinity and rapid kinetics of selectin interactions. However, affinity and kinetic analyses of monomeric selectins binding their natural ligands have not previously been reported. Leukocyte selectin (L-selectin, CD62L) binds preferentially to O-linked carbohydrates present on a small number of mucin-like glycoproteins, such as glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule-1 (GlyCAM-1), expressed in high endothelial venules. GlyCAM-1 is a soluble secreted protein which, following binding to CD62L, stimulates beta2-integrin-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes. Using surface plasmon resonance, we show that a soluble monomeric form of CD62L binds to purified immobilized GlyCAM-1 with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 108 microM. CD62L dissociates from GlyCAM-1 with a very fast dissociation rate constant (>/=10 s-1) which agrees well with the reported dissociation rate constant of CD62L-mediated leukocyte tethers. The calculated association rate constant is >/=10(5) M-1 s-1. At concentrations just above its mean serum level (approximately 1.5 microg/ml or approximately 30 nM), GlyCAM-1 binds multivalently to immobilized CD62L. It follows that soluble GlyCAM-1 may cross-link CD62L when it binds to cells, suggesting a mechanism for signal transduction.

Constitutive expression of E- and P-selectin cognate ligands in human endothelial cells

On human endothelial cells from umbilical cord (HUVEC) are present, in addition to E- and P-selectins, their cognate ligands. Differently from selectins, the ligand expression is constitutive and not modulated by interleukin-1beta. Such ligands appear to be different from the ones present in promyelocytic cells in order to promote cell adhesion to immobilized selectins. The expression of selectin-ligands on HUVEC cells suggest that selectins can participate in endothelial signalling besides their role as adhesion molecules for circulating blood cells. However, despite their role in chemotaxis, selectins do not contribute to HUVEC tube formation in Matrigel.

Sulfomucins in the human body

Mucins are widely distributed in mucous secretion fluids or are associated with plasma membranes. Up to now 9 genes of epithelial mucins have been identified, distributed over five chromosomes. Superposed on the genetic diversity, each type of mucin displays heterogeneity in oligosaccharide composition, including the terminal sugar residues. On top of that there is variation between individuals brought about by blood group antigens. Heterogeneity is further incited by the degree of sulfation. This tremendous structural heterogeneity endows mucin molecules with properties suggestive for a multifunctional role. The major biological function assigned to mucins is still the protection of tissues covered by the mucous gel. Current knowledge on the specific biological functions of the sulfate residues is fragmentary and periphrastic. Glycosylation including sulfation appears to be subject to modification under pathological conditions. There is evidence that sulfation rate-limits bacterial degradation of mucins. Moreover, accumulating data focus towards their involvement in recognition phenomena. Sulfate residues on blood group related structures provoke specific epitopes for selective interaction with microorganisms e.g. Helicobacter pylori. A distinct class of mucins acts as ligands for selectins, crucial in cellular recognition processes like cellular homing of lymphocytes. Whereas in earlier days mucins were only seen as water-binding molecules, protecting the underlying mucosa against harmful agents, the current picture of these molecules is characterized by the selective interaction with their environment, including epithelial-, and endothelial cells and microorganisms, thereby regulating a great number of biological processes. However, the specific role of sulfate remains to be further elucidated.

Multiplex RT-PCR method for the analysis of the expression of human sialyltransferases: application to breast cancer cells

In many cases of human cancer, the appearance of hypersialylated glycan structures is related to a precise stage of the disease; this may depend on altered regulation of one or more sialyltransferases genes. Since several distinct sialyltransferase enzymes arising from different unique genes transfer sialic acid residues in the same linkage onto the same acceptor, it is impossible to precisely determine which enzyme is involved in the observed phenotype based on enzymatic assays. We have developed a very sensitive and highly reproducible multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique in order to monitor the expression of four human sialyltransferases genes ST6Gal I, ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III and ST3Gal IV in small cell samples. Multiplex PCR amplification using specific primers for each sialyltransferase and detection of amplification products by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a method that is fast and easy to handle and has proven to be useful for establishing sialyltransferase patterns of expression in breast immortalized cell line HBL100 as well as in breast cancer cell lines MCF-7/6, MCF-7/AZ and MDA.

Circulating adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in carotid atherosclerosis and incident coronary heart disease cases: the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study

BACKGROUND

Recruitment of circulating leukocytes at sites of atherosclerosis is mediated through a family of adhesion molecules. The function of circulating forms of these adhesion molecules remains unknown, but their levels may serve as molecular markers of subclinical coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

To determine the ability of circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to serve as molecular markers of atherosclerosis and predictors of incident CHD, we studied 204 patients with incident CHD, 272 patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis (CAA), and 316 control subjects from the large, biracial Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. Levels of VCAM-1 were not significantly different among the patients with incident CHD, those with CAA, and control subjects. Higher levels of E-selectin and ICAM-1 were observed for the patients with CHD (means [ng/mL]: E-selectin, 38.4; ICAM-1, 288.7) and those with CAA (E-selectin, 41.5; ICAM-1, 283.6) compared with the control subjects (E-selectin, 32.8; ICAM-1, 244.2), but the distributions were not notably different between the patients with CHD and CAA. Results of logistic regression analyses indicated that the relationship of ICAM-1 and E-selectin with CHD and CAA was independent of other known CHD risk factors and was most pronounced in the highest quartile. The odds of CHD and CAA were 5.53 (95% CI, 2.51-12.21) and 2.64 (95% CI, 1.40-5.01), respectively, for those with levels of ICAM-1 in the highest quartile compared with those in the lowest quartile. Odds of CAA were 2.03 (95% CI, 1.14-3.62) for those with levels of E-selectin in the highest quartile compared with those in the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that plasma levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin may serve as molecular markers for atherosclerosis and the development of CHD.

Enzymatic synthesis of site-specifically (alpha 1-3)-fucosylated polylactosamines containing either a sialyl Lewis (x), a VIM-2, or a sialylated and internally difucosylated sequence

By using two different reaction pathways, we generated enzymatically three sialylated and site-specifically alpha 1-3-fucosylated polylactosamines. Two of these are isomeric hexasaccharides Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-3)Gal(beta 1-4)[Fuc(alpha 1-3)] GlcNAc and Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-4)[Fuc(alpha 1-3)]GlcNAc(beta 1-3)Gal(beta 1-4) GlcNAc, containing epitopes that correspond to VIM-2 and sialyl Lewis (x), respectively. The third one, nonasaccharide Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc(beta 1-3)Gal(beta 1-4)[Fuc(alpha 1-3)] GlcNAc(beta 1-3)Gal(beta 1-4)[Fuc(alpha 1-3)]GlcNAc, is a sialylated and internally difucosylated derivative of a trimeric N-acetyllactosamine. All three oligosaccharides have one fucose-free N-acetyllactosaminyl unit and can be used as acceptors for recombinant alpha 1-3-fucosyltransferases in determining the biosynthesis pathways leading to polyfucosylated selectin ligands.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of dendritic sialyl Lewis(x)

Traditional structure activity relationship studies (SAR) have led to the development of numerous sialyl Lewis(x) analogs in the search for potential antiinflammatory agents. However, these methods do not take into account cluster or multivalent effects. Reported herein is the chemoenzymatic synthesis of di-, tetra-, and octa-valent sLe(x) ligands scaffolded on dendrimers. Hypervalent L-lysine cores with covalently attached 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (N-acetylglucosamine, GlcNAc) residues were chemically prepared and enzymatically transformed into sLe(x) containing dendrimers so that multivalency, and its role in selectin-sLe(x) interactions may be evaluated. This work constitutes another successful enzymatic synthesis of sLe(x) and represents the first example of GlcNAc elongation on a synthetic dendrimer scaffold. These sLe(x) dendrimers are currently being investigated as selectin antagonists.

Enzymatic midchain branching of polylactosamine backbones is restricted in a site-specific manner in alpha 1,3-fucosylated chains

Branched polylactosamines on animal cell surfaces are believed to contribute to multivalent interactions in cell adhesion and cell signalling. Their biosynthesis proceeds via linear precursors that become branched by beta1,6-GlcNAc transferases (IGnT6, GlcNAc to Gal). Previous work has identified the tetrasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc (1) and the hexasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1- 3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc (4) as acceptors for a rat serum enzyme activity (cIGnT6), which transfers GlcNAcbeta1-6 units to the midchain galactose residues. Thereby, 1 is converted to the branched pentasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3(GlcNAcbeta1-6)Galbeta1-4 GlcNAc and 4 to the doubly branched octasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3(GlcNAcbeta1-6)Galbeta1-+ ++4GlcNAcbeta1-3(GlcNAcb eta1-6)Galbeta1-4GlcNAc [Leppänen, A., Salminen, H., Zhu, Y., Maaheimo, H., Helin, J., Costello, C. E., & Renkonen, O. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 7026-7036]. Here we report that neither the alpha1, 3-fucose-containing derivatives of 1 [Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)G lcNAc and Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4Gl cNAc] nor a similar derivative of 4 [Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)+ ++GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1- 4GlcNAc] were acceptors for the rat serum cIGnT6 activity. Hence, the enzyme's branch-forming action was completely prevented at sites in the immediate neighborhood of the fucosylated loci of the polylactosamines. In Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1- 3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3) GlcNAc, the inhibition of the branch-forming reaction was restricted to the fucose-carrying LacNAc unit; at the middle LacNAc, the branching proceeded normally. However, in the isomeric Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1- 4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4 GlcNAc, the fucose residue prevented branching completely at the middle LacNAc and almost completely at the reducing end LacNAc. In summary, alpha1,3-fucose residues in polylactosamine chains inhibited the cIGnT6 reaction in a site-specific manner, at the fucosylated LacNAc unit itself and also at sites one and two LacNAc units upstream, but not at the LacNAc units downstream from the fucosylated locus. These data imply that site-directed branching in polylactosamines is possible in vitro with the aid of specifically positioned alpha1,3-fucosyl units, that can be removed afterward without harming the branched backbones.

Inhibitory effect of locally administered heparin on leukocyte rolling and chemoattractant-induced firm adhesion in rat mesenteric venules in vivo

1. Anti-inflammatory actions of heparin and related glycosaminoglycans have been described in the literature. Here, we used intravital microscopy of the rat mesentery microcirculation to examine effects of locally administered heparin on leukocyte rolling and chemoattractant-induced firm adhesion. 2. It was found that topical application of heparin reduced N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced leukocyte adhesion. Notably, the inhibitory action of heparin was not dose-dependent, but rather a biphasic dose-response was found, i.e. low (2 and 20 iu ml(-1)) and high (1000 iu ml(-1)) concentrations of heparin significantly reduced adhesion, whereas an intermediate dose (200 iu ml(-1)) was less effective. 3. Heparin, 2 and 20 iu ml(-1), decreased rolling leukocyte flux, while having no effect on blood flow or total leukocyte flux. By contrast, heparin, 200 and 1000 iu ml(-1), increased total leukocyte flux in parallel with a rise in volume blood flow resulting in recovery of the rolling leukocyte flux at these doses. Thus, the biphasic inhibitory action of heparin on fMLP-induced firm adhesion could in part be attributed to changes in leukocyte delivery (i.e. blood flow) and rolling leukocyte flux induced by heparin. 4. When compensating for the influence of different rolling levels on fMLP-evoked adhesion, a dose-related inhibitory effect of heparin on the firm adhesive response per se was revealed. Similar results were obtained in a static adhesion assay in vitro where heparin 200 and 1000 iu ml(-1) (but not 2 and 20 iu ml(-1)) significantly inhibited fMLP-induced leukocyte adhesion in the absence of any modulatory influence on changes in rolling. 5. Our data show that locally administered heparin inhibits leukocyte rolling as well as chemoattractant-induced firm adhesion in vivo which thus may contribute to the postulated anti-inflammatory activity of this compound. However, because of interference with several microvascular functions, strict dose-dependent responses to heparin treatment were not found, which illustrates the complex interplay between local blood flow, leukocyte rolling and chemoattractant-induced adhesion as determinants of leukocyte recruitment to tissues in inflammation.

Sialosyl-fucosyl Poly-LacNAc without the sialosyl-Lex epitope as the physiological myeloid cell ligand in E-selectin-dependent adhesion: studies under static and dynamic flow conditions

The majority of E- and P-selectin ligands in leukocytes and myelocytic or monocytic leukemia cells are carried by transmembrane glycoproteins having a tandem repeat mucin-like domain through which O-linked carbohydrate ligands are carried. However, determination of structure and adhesive function of carbohydrates in glycoproteins is extremely difficult because of the extensive structural heterogeneity and the scarcity of material for functional analysis. We have overcome this difficulty through use of poly-LacNAc gangliosides isolated from a large quantity of ( approximately 1.2 L packed) HL60 cells [Stroud, M. R., Handa, K., Salyan, M. E. K., Ito, K., Levery, S. B., Hakomori, S., Reinhold, B. B., & Reinhold, V. N. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 758-769, 770-778]. We identified two major types of poly-LacNAc gangliosides without the sialosyl-Lex epitope as being capable of binding to E-selectin: (i) those having a single alpha1-->3 fucosylation at internal GlcNAcs but not at the penultimate GlcNAc and (ii) those having double alpha1-->3 fucosylation at internal GlcNAcs, excluding the penultimate GlcNAc. Gangliosides from group i above did not show any adhesion under static conditions, but showed strong adhesion under dynamic flow conditions. Gangliosides from group ii above showed adhesion under both static and dynamic conditions, as did sialosyl-Lex (SLex)-containing structures in previous studies. However, SLex-containing poly-LacNAc gangliosides are virtually absent or present in only trace quantities in leukocytes and HL60 cells. Poly-LacNAc gangliosides from groups i and ii above, lacking SLex structure, are the major membrane components of leukocytes and HL60 cells. These carbohydrates, bound to lipid or to protein, may therefore be the physiological epitope for E-selectin-dependent binding of these cells, particularly under dynamic flow conditions.

The P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 Is Important for Recruitment of Neutrophils Into Inflamed Mouse Peritoneum

The P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is a high-affinity ligand of P-selectin on myeloid cells and certain subsets of lymphoid cells. We generated the rat monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 2PH1 that recognizes an epitope within the first 19 amino acids at the N-terminus of the processed form of mouse PSGL-1. This antibody blocks attachment of mouse myeloid cells to P-selectin under both static and flow conditions. Intravenous administration of saturating amounts of 2PH1 reduced the number of rolling leukocytes in venules of the acutely exposed mouse cremaster muscle by 79% (±5.7%), whereas an anti–P-selectin MoAb reduced it completely. Examining the effect of the MoAb 2PH1 on the recruitment of neutrophils into chemically inflamed mouse peritoneum showed that blocking PSGL-1 inhibited neutrophil accumulation in the peritoneum by 82% (±7%) at 2 hours and by 59% (±7.9%) at 4 hours after stimulation. A similar effect was seen with the MoAb against P-selectin. Simultaneous administration of both antibodies at the 4-hour time point blocked neutrophil accumulation by 86% (±4.2%), arguing for an additional partner molecule for PSGL-1 besides P-selectin. This is the first demonstration of the importance of PSGL-1 in the recruitment of mouse neutrophils into inflamed tissue.

Listeria monocytogenes in laboratory mice: a model of short-term infectious and pathogenic processes controllable by regulated protective immune responses

The mammalian immune system is an integrated network of tissue, leukocytes and effector and regulatory molecules. All these components operate i) to maintain the proper structure of and processes expressed by each tissue. and ii) to protect the hosts from those microorganisms that generally invade them as part of their life cycle. Among the invading microorganisms. Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) can persist as a live organism independent of the host, and is, thus, able to drive short-term infectious and pathogenic processes that are controlled by integrated innate and adaptive protective immune responses driven by CD8 and CD4 type 1 T lymphocytes acting on non-T non-B leukocytes. Although the effector functions and the fine specificity of T lymphocytes have been more and more characterized, an understanding of the precise regulation of both leukocyte traffic and T-lymphocyte migration depends on knowledge of the early tissue distribution of L. monocytogenes, points that are addressed in this review.

In vitro experimental studies of sialyl Lewis x and sialyl Lewis a on endothelial and carcinoma cells: crucial glycans on selectin ligands

Extravasation from the blood of malignant tumour cells that form metastasis and leukocytes that go into tissues require contact between selectins and their sialyl Lewis x and sialyl Lewis a (sLe(x) and sLe(a) respectively) decorated ligands. Endothelial cells have been shown to express sLe(x) epitopes in lymph nodes and at sites of inflammation, and this is crucial for the selectin-dependent leukocyte traffic. Besides the ability to synthesize sLe(x) on sialylated N-acetyllactosamine via the action of alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferase(s), endothelial cells can also degrade sLe(x) to Lewis x through the action of alpha(2,3)sialidase(s). In addition, several epithelial tumors possess the machinery to synthesize sLe(x), which facilitates their adhesion to endothelial E- and P-selectin.

CD44 in inflammation and metastasis

CD44 is a major cell surface receptor for the glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan (HA). CD44 binds HA specifically, although certain chondroitin-sulfate containing proteoglycans may also be recognized. CD44 binding of HA is regulated by the cells in which it is expressed. Thus, CD44 expression alone does not correlate with HA binding activity. CD44 is subject to a wide array of post-translational carbohydrate modifications, including N-linked, O-linked and glycosaminoglycan side chain additions. These modifications, which differ in different cell types and cell activation states, can have profound effects on HA binding function and are the main mechanism of regulating CD44 function that has been described to date. Some glycosaminoglycan modifications also affect ligand binding specificity, allowing CD44 to interact with proteins of the extracellular matrix, such as fibronectin and collagen, and to sequester heparin binding growth factors. It is not yet established whether the HA binding function of CD44 is responsible for its proposed involvement in inflammation. It has been shown, however, that CD44/HA interactions can mediate leukocyte rolling on endothelial and tissue substrates and that CD44-mediated recognition of HA can contribute to leukocyte activation. Changes in CD44 expression (mainly up-regulation, occasionally down-regulation, and frequently alteration in the pattern of isoforms expressed) are associated with a wide variety of cancers and the degree to which they spread; however, in other cancers, the CD44 pattern remains unchanged. Increased expression of CD44 is associated with increased binding to HA and increased metastatic potential in some experimental tumor systems; however, in other systems increased HA binding and metastatic potential are not correlated. CD44 may contribute to malignancy through changes in the regulation of HA recognition, the recognition of new ligands and/or other new biological functions of CD44 that remain to be discovered.

Elevated serum concentrations of soluble selectin and immunoglobulin type adhesion molecules in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Adhesion molecules mediate the extravasation of leukocytes and their accumulation in inflamed tissues. In the present study, serum concentrations of the selectin (sP- and sE-selectin) and immunoglobulin supergene family (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1) of adhesion molecules were measured in 93 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, n = 65; ulcerative colitis, n = 28) and 58 age-matched normal controls. sP-selectin serum concentrations (mean +/- SEM ng/ml) of patients with Crohn's disease (399 +/- 33 ng/ml) and ulcerative colitis (385 +/- 42 ng/ml) were increased (P = 0.0067 and P = 0.0193, respectively) compared to controls (251 +/- 33 ng/ml). In contrast, E-selectin serum levels of patients with Crohn's disease (58 +/- 5 ng/ml) and ulcerative colitis (64 +/- 12 ng/ml) were not significantly higher than those of controls (53 +/- 5 ng/ml). sICAM-1 serum concentrations of patients with Crohn's disease (420 +/- 19 ng/ml) and those with ulcerative colitis (375 +/- 40 ng/ml) were elevated (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0473, respectively) compared to controls (297 +/- 8 ng/ml). Further, sVCAM-1 levels of patients with Crohn's disease (664 +/- 43 ng/ml) and ulcerative colitis (963 +/- 162 ng/ml) were increased (P = 0.0222 and P = 0.0121, respectively) compared to controls (510 +/- 31 ng/ml). With few exceptions, serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules were not significantly correlated to disease activity indices or disease localization. Elevated circulating selectin and immunoglobulin supergene type adhesion molecules may compete with membrane-bound forms for their cognate ligands and thereby limit the rolling and stable adhesion of leukocytes.

Differential glycosylation of tractin and LeechCAM, two novel Ig superfamily members, regulates neurite extension and fascicle formation

By immunoaffinity purification with the mAb Lan3-2, we have identified two novel Ig superfamily members, Tractin and LeechCAM. LeechCAM is an NCAM/FasII/ApCAM homologue, whereas Tractin is a cleaved protein with several unique features that include a PG/YG repeat domain that may be part of or interact with the extracellular matrix. Tractin and LeechCAM are widely expressed neural proteins that are differentially glycosylated in sets and subsets of peripheral sensory neurons that form specific fascicles in the central nervous system. In vivo antibody perturbation of the Lan3-2 glycoepitope demonstrates that it can selectively regulate extension of neurites and filopodia. Thus, these experiments provide evidence that differential glycosylation can confer functional diversity and specificity to widely expressed neural proteins.

Mosquito midgut glycoproteins and recognition sites for malaria parasites

Midgut glycoproteins of the malaria vector Anopheles tessellatus were partially characterised by gel electrophoresis and lectin binding. Specific binding to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Concanavalin A (Con A) indicated the presence of N-linked core oligosaccharides in many proteins. Rabbit antibodies were produced against wheat germ agglutinin binding proteins (WGABP). These antibodies also recognised distinct proteins in the peritrophic membrane which is secreted into the midgut to enclose a bloodmeal. Rabbit anti-WGABP antibodies ingested in a bloodmeal containing infective gametocytes of the human malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax tended to reduce infectivity of the parasites to vector mosquitoes. Chitotriose added to a bloodmeal also inhibited parasite development in the mosquito. The results are consistent with a hypothesis that N-acetyl glucosamine residues in mosquito midgut glycoproteins and/or midgut chitin and proteoglycan function as recognition sites for malaria parasites.

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 mediates rolling of mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells on P-selectin but not efficiently on E-selectin

It has been shown recently that mast cells play an essential role as a source of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production during neutrophil recruitment to sites of bacterial infection. Increased numbers of mast cells are indeed noted at sites of wound healing and inflammation. These cells are either recruited from the bone marrow or proliferate locally under cytokine stimulation. Little is known about how mast cell progenitors extravasate into tissue. Using antibody-like fusion proteins of mouse E-selectin and P-selectin, we have analyzed the ability of immature mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) to interact with the endothelial selectins. The P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) was affinity-isolated from detergent extracts of surface biotinylated BMMC with both selectin-IgG fusion proteins. However, only P-selectin-IgG, but not E-selectin-IgG showed significant interaction with intact BMMC as tested by flow cytometry and cell attachment assays with the immobilized fusion proteins under flow and non-flow conditions at physiological shear stress. Thus, in spite of carrying the necessary carbohydrate modifications which enable solubilized PSGL-1 to bind avidly to E-selectin, PSGL-1 on the surface of BMMC is presented in a way that prevents it from interacting efficiently with E-selectin. Affinity-purified rabbit antibodies against mouse PSGL-1 almost completely blocked the interaction of BMMC with P-selectin-IgG in flow cytometry as well as in cell adhesion assays under static and under flow conditions. Our data reveal that PSGL-1 is the major binding site for P-selectin on mouse BMMC progenitors, but does not support efficient interactions with E-selectin.

Collectins: collectors of microorganisms for the innate immune system

Collectins are a group of multimeric proteins mostly consisting of 9-18 polypeptides organised into either 'bundle-of-tulips' or 'X-like' overall structures. Each polypeptide contains a short N-terminal segment followed by a collagen-like sequence and then by a C-terminal lectin domain. A collectin molecule is assembled from identical or very similar polypeptides by disulphide bonds at the N-terminal segment, formation of triple helices in the collagen-like region and clusters of three lectin domains at the peripheral ends of triple helices. These proteins can bind to sugar residues on microorganisms via the peripheral lectin domains and subsequently interact, via the collagen-like triple-helices, with receptor(s) on phagocytes and/or the complement system to bring about the killing and clearance of the targets without the involvement of antibodies. The collectins can also bind to phagocyte receptor(s) to enhance phagocytosis mediated by other phagocytic receptors. Lack, or low levels, of collectin expression can lead to higher susceptibility to infections, especially during childhood when specific immunity has not fully developed. Therefore, the collectins play important roles in the enhancement of innate immunity.

Selectins, T-cell rolling and inflammation

The selectins, a family of Ca(2+)-dependent lectins, are expressed on inflamed vascular endothelium and some leukocyte subsets, and mediate adhesive contacts between blood cells and vessel walls. These interactions are loose and reversible, operate under conditions of shear flow, and result in leukocyte rolling along the vessel wall. The structure of the selectins and their ligands makes them uniquely suited for supporting the type of bond formation and dissociation that must prevail in order for a cell to be able to roll under conditions of flow. Because rolling precedes (and appears to be essential for) the integrin-mediated firm arrest before extravasation in response to inflammatory or infectious stimuli, inhibition of selectin function has potential for anti-inflammatory therapy, but also presents some significant challenges because of the complexity of the processes involved.

An ELISA for selectins based on binding to a physiological ligand

Members of the selectin family of adhesion receptors, consisting of L-, P- and E-selectin, mediate the initial interaction between leukocytes and endothelium during leukocyte trafficking from the blood into tissue sites. These receptors have attracted great attention in recent years due to their participation in a number of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. We describe here a new ELISA that measures the binding between selectin-IgG chimeras and a physiological ligand for L-selectin and can be used to screen selectin inhibitors. The ligand used is a mucin-like glycoprotein known as GlyCAM-1, which is derived from high endothelial venules in secondary lymphoid organs. We demonstrate binding of all three selectins to GlyCAM-1 and demonstrate that the binding interactions satisfy a number of important criteria. The advantage of this ELISA over previous assays is that a macromolecular physiological ligand is employed, rather than a fortuitous or simplified carbohydrate ligand. Thus, the protein-carbohydrate interactions, as well as other interactions contributing to ligand recognition, can be investigated. The assay is suitable for high-throughout screening of compounds and may find use in the identification of selectin antagonists with anti-inflammatory potential.

The E-selectin-ligand ESL-1 is located in the Golgi as well as on microvilli on the cell surface

Neutrophils and subsets of lymphocytes bind to E-selectin, a cytokine inducible adhesion molecule on endothelial cells. The E-selectin-ligand-1 (ESL-1) is a high affinity glycoprotein ligand which participates in the binding of mouse myeloid cells to E-selectin. The sequence of mouse ESL-1 is highly homologous to the cysteine rich FGF receptor (CFR) in chicken and the rat Golgi protein MG160. We have analysed the subcellular distribution of ESL-1 by indirect immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, various biochemical techniques and by immunogold scanning electron microscopy. We could localize ESL-1 in the Golgi as well as on the cell surface of 32Dc13 cells and neutrophils. Cell surface staining was confirmed by cell surface biotinylation and by cell surface immunoprecipitations in which antibodies only had access to surface proteins on intact cells. In addition, ESL-1(high) and ESL-1(low) expressing cells, sorted by flow cytometry, gave rise to high and low immunoprecipitation signals for ESL-1, respectively. Based on immunogold labeling of intact cells, we localized ESL-1 on microvilli of 32Dc13 cells and of the lymphoma cell line K46. Quantitative evaluation determined 80% of the total labeling for ESL-1 on microvilli of K46 cells while 69% of the labeling for the control antigen B220 was found on the planar cell surface. These data indicate that ESL-1 occurs at sites on the leukocyte cell surface which are destined for the initiation of cell contacts to the endothelium.

A time-resolved immunofluorometric method for the measurement of sialyl Lewis x-synthesizing alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase activity

We describe here an assay that employs a highly sensitive nonradioactive method, time-resolved fluorometry, for measuring the activity of the enzyme GDP-Fuc:NeuNAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R (Fuc to GlcNAc) alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase (alpha1,3FT). In this assay, a neoglycoprotein substrate of alpha1,3FT is immobilized on a microtiter plate. Incubation with the fucose donor GDP-fucose and enzyme source converts the acceptor NeuNAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R to the product NeuNAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAc-R, which is quantified using a product-specific (antisialyl Lewis x) primary antibody and europium chelate-labeled secondary antibody. In the development of the assay, we used extracts of alpha1,3FT-transfected insect cells as the specific enzyme source. The reaction product formation was proportional to time of incubation (0-2 h) and the extract added (0.1-10 microU of enzyme) and was dependent on the GDP-fucose and glycoconjugate acceptor. We have also demonstrated with different cultured cancer cell lines that this time-resolved immunofluorometric assay allows rapid measurement of alpha1,3FT activity from a large number of crude cell lysate samples. Our results indicated that cell lines which expressed more sialyl Lewis x determinant on their surfaces had higher levels of alpha1,3FT activity. The advantages of this new assay are high sensitivity and a wide linear range of measurement. The assay is expected to be useful in the determination of regulation mechanisms of sialyl Lewis x-synthesizing alpha1,3-fucosyltransferases.

The effect of the selectin binding polysaccharide fucoidin on eosinophil recruitment in vivo

1. In order to accumulate at sites of inflammation, leukocytes initially roll on endothelial cells of postcapillary venules before becoming firmly attached. This process of rolling is mediated by selectins which bind to carbohydrate counter-ligands present on the surface of both leukocytes and endothelial cells. The polysaccharide fucoidin has been previously shown to inhibit leukocyte rolling in the mesenteric circulation and to reduce neutrophil accumulation in the skin and meninges in experimental inflammation. 2. In the present study we have assessed the effects of fucoidin on eosinophil function in vitro and eosinophil accumulation at sites of inflammation in guinea-pig skin. 3. At concentrations of up to 1200 micrograms ml-1, fucoidin inhibited phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced eosinophil homotypic aggregation by up to 60% but had no inhibitory effect on PMA-induced eosinophil adhesion to serum-coated plates. 4. Fucoidin effectively reduced the binding of the anti-L-selectin mAb MEL-14 to guinea-pig eosinophils. Binding of a P-selectin-IgG chimera to eosinophils was also partially inhibited by fucoidin, but binding of an anti-CD18 or an anti-VLA-4 mAb were unaffected. 5. When given systemically to guinea-pigs, fucoidin suppressed 111In-labelled eosinophil recruitment to sites of allergic inflammation. 111In-labelled eosinophil accumulation induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) and zymosan-activated plasma (as a source of C5a des Arg) was also inhibited. 6. These results demonstrate a role for fucoidin-sensitive selectins in mediating eosinophil recruitment in vivo.

Monocyte adhesion to activated aortic endothelium: role of L-selectin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans

This study examines the role of L-selectin in monocyte adhesion to arterial endothelium, a key pathogenic event of atherosclerosis. Using a nonstatic (rotation) adhesion assay, we observed that monocyte binding to bovine aortic endothelium at 4 degrees C increased four to nine times upon endothelium activation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. mAb-blocking experiments demonstrated that L-selectin mediates a major part (64 +/- 18%) of monocyte attachment. Videomicroscopy experiments performed under flow indicated that monocytes abruptly halted on 8-h TNF-alpha-activated aortic endothelium, approximately 80% of monocyte attachment being mediated by L-selectin. Flow cytometric studies with a L-selectin/IgM heavy chain chimeric protein showed calcium-dependent L-selectin binding to cytokine-activated and, unexpectedly, unactivated aortic cells. Soluble L-selectin binding was completely inhibited by anti-L-selectin mAb or by aortic cell exposure to trypsin. Experiments with cycloheximide, chlorate, or neuraminidase showed that protein synthesis and sulfate groups, but not sialic acid residues, were essential for L-selectin counterreceptor function. Moreover, heparin lyases partially inhibited soluble L-selectin binding to cytokine-activated aortic cells, whereas a stronger inhibition was seen with unstimulated endothelial cells, suggesting that cytokine activation could induce the expression of additional ligand(s) for L-selectin, distinct from heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Under flow, endothelial cell treatment with heparinase inhibited by approximately 80% monocyte attachment to TNF-alpha-activated aortic endothelium, indicating a major role for heparan sulfate proteoglycans in monocyte-endothelial interactions. Thus, L-selectin mediates monocyte attachment to activated aortic endothelium, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans serve as arterial ligands for monocyte L-selectin.