The effect of alpha-mannose-terminal oligosaccharides on the survival of glycoproteins in the circulation. Rapid uptake and catabolism of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease B by nonparenchymal cells of rat liver

Interactions of galactosyltransferase with serum and secretory immunoglobulins and their component chains

Assay of the activity of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GT) revealed that in addition to serum, milk, colostrum, amniotic and cerebrospinal fluids and malignant effusions, this enzyme is present also in tears and saliva. Molecular-sieve chromatography of human colostral whey and serum and subsequent assay of beta-1,4-GT activity have shown that beta-1,4-GT was present as a free enzyme (55 kDa) and associated with components of larger molar mass. The elution pattern did not change when the chromatography was carried out in a buffer devoid of, or enriched with, Mn2+, a cofactor of beta-1,4-GT activity. However, the activity associated with the large molar mass components was absent when the chromatography was carried out in the presence of a chelating agent (EDTA). Analyses of the eluted material by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE), and by immunodiffusion indicated that the major colostral component in beta-1,4-GT activity-containing fractions was secretory IgA (S-IgA); in addition, the beta-1,4-GT activity was detected in fractions that contained lactoferrin and alpha-lactalbumin. Interactions of beta-1,4-GT with S-IgA and lactoferrin in colostrum were also demonstrated by the detection of radioactivity in precipitin lines obtained by immunoelectrophoresis and autoradiography of the colostral whey after it had been incubated with UDP-[3H]-galactose. Furthermore, radioactively labeled S-IgA and alpha-chain were detected when colostral whey incubated with UDP-[3H]-galactose was analyzed by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing and reducing conditions, respectively. In serum, the beta-1,4-GT-binding components identified in fractions after molecular-sieve chromatography were IgG, IgA, IgM and transferrin. The binding of beta-1,4-GT to immunoglobulins (Ig) was also demonstrated by assaying the beta-1,4-GT activity associated with Sepharose-4B-immobilized Ig of various isotypes and molecular forms, which were incubated with colostral beta-1,4-GT in the presence of Mn2+. Beta-1,4-GT measured by enzyme activity was bound to these Ig in order: polymeric IgA2 > monomeric IgA1 = polymeric IgA1 = secretory IgA = pentameric IgM > IgG. Immobilized component chains, namely alpha, mu and J chains, bound beta-1,4-GT more effectively than native Ig. Incubation of the IgA1 myeloma protein with crude human colostral galactosyltransferase in the presence of UDP[3H]-galactose and Mn2+ resulted in galactosylation of both N- and O-linked carbohydrate side chains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Binding and uptake of ligands for mannose-specific receptors in liver cells: an electron microscopic study during development and aging in rat

The binding and uptake of mannose exposing ligands in rat liver cells during development and aging was studied. The mannose-specific receptors are visualized using 5-nm diameter colloidal gold particles coated with invertase or mannan. It was found that the binding sites are present on sinusoidal liver cells since prenatal life but their quantitative and qualitative cell surface expression changes with age. The number of receptors affects the endocytotic capacity of Kupffer cells which is low during perinatal and aging periods and reaches the values of adult animals between the 11th and the 15th day after birth. Our results indicate that the expression and the activity of mannose-specific receptors on sinusoidal rat liver cells is related to the differentiative stage of the organ.

Scavenger functions of the liver endothelial cell

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Binding, uptake, and transcytosis of ligands for mannose-specific receptors in rat liver: an electron microscopic study

We have investigated the initial distribution of mannose-specific binding sites in rat liver as well as the uptake and transcytosis pathways of ligands for this receptor in in situ and in vivo experiments. As ligands we used mannan adsorbed onto colloidal gold particles of sizes 5, 17, and 35 nm (Man-Au5, Man-Au17, or Man-Au35). The in situ binding pattern of Man-Au5 in the prefixed liver is identical to the one described earlier for galactose-exposing ligands in the same organ. With the exception of the binding by hepatocytes, where only scarce binding of Man-Au5 was observed, ligands were found adhering in a preclustered pattern all over the cell surface of liver macrophages and binding in aggregates over the coated pits of endothelial cells. In double-labeling experiments different particle sizes were used for glycoproteins with terminal mannosyl or galactosyl residues. This simultaneous localization of the two binding activities revealed that on endothelial cells the two activities are always found to be present in the same coated pit. On liver macrophages the clustered binding occurred at different membrane areas. Uptake and transcytosis of Man-Au5, 17, 35 were studied after their injection into the tail vein. Three and fifteen minutes after injection most of the Man-Au5 and all of Man-Au17 or Man-Au35 was found in sinusoidal liver cells, i.e., macrophages and endothelial cells. One hour after injection, endocytosed ligand is redistributed from large--presumably lysosomal--vacuoles to small noncoated vesicles that are localized predominantly near the space of Dissé. Between 1 and 40 h after injection, ligands of all sizes are transcytosed and found in the hepatocytes. No ligand accumulation is observed in hepatocytes as an indirect indication for secretion into bile. With this investigation we give evidence for transcytotic activity not only of liver endothelium but also of the resident liver macrophages.

Analysis of differentiation and transformation of cells by lectins

During differentiation cells are known to change their biological behavior according to their genotype. This is thought to be accompanied by a modulation of cell surface determinants expressed on the outer cell membrane. Vice versa, cell surface molecules are suggested to mediate extracellular signals to the genome. Most of these molecules integrated in the cell membrane have been proven to be glycoconjugates. The carbohydrate moieties of these molecules can be detected by means of lectins that are characterized by their ability to react specifically with distinct terminal sugar sequences. Thus, lectins have been used as appropriate tools for studying the modulation of functionally important membrane-associated molecules during the differentiation of cells, in particular of B- and T-lymphocytes. Moreover, lectins have been proven to distinguish between differentiated cells and malignant cell clones, according to the hypothesis that transformed cells possess a glycoconjugate profile that corresponds to the stage of differentiation at which they are arrested. Since lectins, like monoclonal antibodies, make it possible to study functionally important molecules that are associated with differentiation and malignancy, they might be of value for diagnostic purposes and, moreover, for analyzing malignant transformation.

Uptake and processing of glycoproteins by rat hepatic mannose receptor

A linear compartmental model has been developed for the in vivo metabolism of glycoproteins. The model is applied to the interpretation of dynamic data from the rat on agalactoorosomucoid (AGOR), an N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc-)-terminated glycoprotein, and three neoglycoproteins terminating in mannose [mannose36-bovine serum albumin (Man-BSA)] or glucose [maltose29-BSA (Mal29-BSA) and maltose8-BSA (Mal8-BSA)]. All of these proteins are taken up by the Man/GlcNAc receptor on hepatic sinusoidal cells. The rate of uptake was found to be determined by sugar type (Man-BSA, 0.78 min-1 greater than Mal29-BSA, 0.13 min-1), sugar density (Mal29-BSA greater than Mal8-BSA), and the geometry of the sugar display (AGOR, 0.51 min-1 greater than Mal29-BSA). Intracellular transport from the cell membrane to the lysosomes was slower for Man-BSA (approximately 3 min) than for the other ligands (approximately 0 min), suggesting that receptor-ligand uncoupling was slower for Man-BSA for which the receptor had the highest affinity or that extralysosomal catabolism of the other ligands occurred. Catabolism was also determined by the carbohydrate moiety of the ligand; it was greater for Mal29-BSA and Mal8-BSA (greater than or equal to 0.8 min-1) than for Man-BSA (0.27 min-1), and AGOR, with a complex oligosaccharide, was most resistant to degradation (0.14 min-1). An understanding of these structural features of glycoproteins that influence hepatic uptake, transport, and catabolism will be of value in drug targeting and for enzyme replacement in lysosomal storage disorders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clearance of acute-phase plasma proteins with no, high-mannose-, hybrid-, or complex type oligosaccharide side chains by the isolated perfused rat liver

The clearance of the rat acute-phase proteins alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein with no, high-mannose, hybrid or complex type oligosaccharide side chains was determined in the isolated perfused rat liver. The differently glycosylated forms of the three proteins were obtained from rat hepatocyte primary cultures treated with different inhibitors of glycosylation. The complex type forms of the three proteins were essentially not cleared by the liver during 2 h of perfusion. Unglycosylated alpha 2-macroglobulin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein decreased in the perfusate by about 50% after 2 h; unglycosylated alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor was not taken up by the liver. The high-mannose type forms of the three proteins were nearly totally cleared. After 2 h of perfusion 10%, 45% and 30% of the hybrid type forms of alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, respectively, were cleared. The clearance rates of high-mannose and of hybrid type glycoproteins could be reduced to the rates of complex type glycoproteins by the addition of mannan to the perfusate. It is concluded that complex type glycosylation prevents the uptake of plasma glycoproteins by the liver.

Mapping of the rat liver endothelial membrane with lectins and glycosylated ferritins

We explored the luminal surface of liver sinus endothelium for the presence of lectin receptors and lectinlike substances capable of interacting with specific sugars. We used ferritin-conjugated lectins and glycosylated ferritins as probes. Incubation of small blocks of rat liver with these probes led to the binding of concanavalin A (on A), Ricinus communis (RCA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and mannosyl ferritins to the luminal surface of endothelium. Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA), fucosyl, galactosyl, and chitobiosyl-ferritins did not bind. The binding was patchy and sparse in the case of Con A and mannosyl-ferritins but uniform for others. Binding density did not correlate with hemagglutinability of lectins, suggesting that the difference in the hemagglutinability of these lectins did not account for the difference in their binding densities. Bindings were all completely inhibited in the presence of excess specific sugar inhibitors, indicating the specificity of binding. The distribution of binding was segregated on the endothelial membrane, being heaviest on luminal pits. To define the functional significance of this segregated distribution, sinus endothelium was compared to portal-vein endothelium in which endothelial fenestrations are also seen; and these fenestrations as well as pits may be covered by a thin diaphragm. Of interest was the total absence of binding to the diaphragm. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Study of the plasma clearance of antibody--ricin-A-chain immunotoxins. Evidence for specific recognition sites on the A chain that mediate rapid clearance of the immunotoxin

In recent years, antibody--ricin-A-chain immunotoxins have been investigated as anti-neoplastic agents. To achieve in vivo therapy it is necessary that the immunotoxin remains in circulation at a sufficiently high level for a sufficiently long time to allow binding to tumor cells to occur. Therefore, examination of the pharmacology of immunotoxins may elucidate the reasons for the poor in vivo tumoricidal effect of immunotoxin described before. In this study the plasma clearance of antibody--ricin-A-chain immunotoxins, after intravenous injection in animals of different species, has been examined. Sensitive and reproducible techniques were developed to monitor the level of immunotoxin and its constituents in the blood. It is shown that immunotoxins are rapidly eliminated from the bloodstream. Neither the properties of the antibody moiety nor the nature of the linkage binding ricin A-chain to antibody account for the disappearance of immunotoxin from the plasma. On the other hand, we found that the rapid clearance of immunotoxin is due to the mannose residues on the ricin A-chain moiety which are specifically recognized by liver cells. When immunotoxin is administrated together with yeast mannan, which enhances the level of active immunotoxin in circulation by inhibition of liver uptake, the anti-cancer efficacy of immunotoxin in vivo is drastically improved.

Effect of chemical deglycosylation on the in vivo fate of ricin A-chain

Chemical deglycosylation of ricin A-chain virtually eliminated its entrapment by the liver and delayed its clearance from the bloodstream of mice. Liver entrapment of native ricin A-chain occurred to approximately equal extents in the parenchymal and non-parenchymal cell fractions of the liver. The chemical deglycosylation procedure reduced uptake of the A-chain by both cell fractions.

Unusual binding sites for horseradish peroxidase on the surface of cultured and isolated mammalian cells. Suppression of binding by certain nucleotides and glycoproteins, and a role for calcium

Binding sites for horseradish peroxidase (HRP), with unusual properties, were detected on the surface of cultured and isolated cells after the cells (on cover slips) had been quickly dried, fixed in cold methanol, and post-fixed in a paraformaldehyde solution. The reaction for surface-bound HRP was suppressed by micromolar concentrations of glycoproteins such as invertase, equine luteinizing hormone (eLH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The reaction was also suppressed by 20 mM CDP, UDP, GTP, NAD, and ribose 5-phosphate. Two to six times higher concentrations of GMP, fructose 1-phosphate, galactose 6-phosphate, mannose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, and glucose 6-phosphate were required to suppress the binding reaction. AMP, ATP, heparin, mannan, and eight non-phosphorylated sugars showed relatively low competing potencies but fucoidin and alpha-lactalbumin were strong inhibitors. No addition of Ca2+ was required for the binding of HRP to the cell surface. However, calcium-depleted, inactive HRP did not compete with the binding of native (calcium-containing) HRP whereas H2O2-inactivated HRP suppressed the binding. GTP, NAD, ribose 5-phosphate, and EGTA accelerated the release of previously-bound HRP from the cell surface whereas glycoproteins (invertase, eLH, and hCG) did not do so. Addition of Ca2+ to GTP, NAD, ribose 5-phosphate or to EGTA prevented the accelerated release of HRP from the cell surface. It is suggested that calcium, present either in the surface membrane or in HRP itself, is involved in the binding of HRP to the cell surface and in the inhibition of binding by GTP, NAD, and ribose 5-phosphate. It is also suggested that alpha-lactalbumin, GTP, UDP, and CDP compete with the binding of HRP to a glycosyltransferase on the cell surface.

Modification of the carbohydrate in ricin with metaperiodate and cyanoborohydride mixtures: effect on binding, uptake and toxicity to parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells of rat liver

The carbohydrate in the toxic glycoprotein ricin was chemically modified by simultaneous treatment with sodium metaperiodate and sodium cyanoborohydride. This treatment causes oxidative cleavage of the sugar residues and reduction of the aldehyde groups which are formed to primary alcohols. The modification markedly decreased the rapid removal of ricin from the blood by hepatic non-parenchymal cells with only a relatively small increase in accumulation of the toxin by parenchymal cells. Binding, uptake and toxicity of the modified ricin in primary monolayer cultures of hepatic non-parenchymal cells were all decreased to a much greater extent than in parenchymal cells. The results indicate that native ricin binds to non-parenchymal cells by a dual recognition process which involves both interaction of cell receptors with the mannose-containing oligosaccharides of the toxin and binding of ricin to galactose-containing glycoproteins and glycolipids on the cells. However, uptake and toxicity of native ricin in non-parenchymal cells appears to result principally from entry of the toxin through the mannose recognition pathway. By contrast, uptake and toxicity of the expressed essentially through the galactose-recognition route.

Hepatic clearance of rat liver aspartate aminotransferase isozymes: evidence for endocytotic uptake via different binding sites on sinusoidal liver cells

Rat liver aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) (EC 2.6.1.1) exists in two isozymic forms, cytosolic (c-AAT) and mitochondrial (m-AAT). The previous study (Kamimoto, Y. et al., Hepatology an accompanying paper in this issue) demonstrated that these isozymes were cleared from blood at different half-lives via adsorptive endocytosis by sinusoidal liver cells. To understand the cellular mechanism for the differential uptake of the isozymes, we have further studied in vivo uptake of 125I-labeled AAT isozymes by sinusoidal cells. The results indicated that the uptake of the isozymes occurred via a typical endocytotic pathway: the initial binding, internalization and subsequent degradation in the lysosomes. Quantitation of the isozymes bound to the cell surface prior to internalization either by binding at 4 degrees C or by a combined use of anti-AAT antibody and 125I-protein A at 37 degrees C revealed that the differential plasma clearance of AAT isozymes could be attributable to the isozymic difference in capacity of surface membranes to bind the isozymes. The uptake of 125I-c-AAT was inhibited by unlabeled c-AAT more significantly than by m-AAT, but not by other ligands known to be taken up by sinusoidal cells via receptor-mediated pathways. Similarly, the uptake of 125I-m-AAT was inhibited predominantly by unlabeled m-AAT. Similar ligand specificity was also demonstrated in the binding study at 4 degrees C. The binding of 125I-m-AAT and c-AAT followed saturation kinetics with an apparent Kd of 1.3 X 10(-6) M and 1.7 X 10(-6) M, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carbohydrate structure in tumor immunity

Researchers have endeavored to define surface alterations associated with neoplasia for at least 25 years. In comparisons of normal tissues with animal and human tumors, cultured cells before and after transformation with oncogenic agents, tumorigenic and nontumorigenic transformed cells, metastatic and nonmetastatic tumor cells, high- and low-metastatic variants, and tumor cells before and after induction of differentiation to a less malignant phenotype, a consistent finding has been some form of alteration in surface carbohydrate structures. These changes in glycolipids, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans are reviewed, and their structures are illustrated. Both nucleotide sugar biosynthesis and glycosyltransferase changes have been associated with these alterations. In some cases, alterations in transformed cells were related to growth, rather than transformation. In others, the altered glycoconjugates are truly tumor-associated. There is evidence that cell surface glycoconjugates may function in growth control. Altered carbohydrate structures could also serve as receptors for growth promoting factors and be directly responsible for altered growth control. Recent studies with monoclonal antibodies indicate that the vast majority of antibodies recognizing tumor-associated antigens are detecting altered carbohydrate structures. Mechanisms by which the immune system can recognize these carbohydrate structures are considered, and immune recognition of tumor-associated carbohydrate structural alterations is explored. A number of these hypotheses relating to alterations in glycosylation, growth control, and tumor immunity deserve further investigation.

Human liver lysosomal alpha-glucosidase modified by chemical galactosylation and isolation of specific antibodies

Human liver acid alpha-glucosidase (1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3) was modified with water soluble carbodiimide in the presence of p-aminophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside. The incorporation of the aminophenyl derivative of galactose into alpha-glucosidase caused some changes in the physiocochemical properties of the enzyme: a blue shift in the absorption maximum, an alteration of the total electric charge affecting electrophoretic mobility upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and acquisition of the ability to interact specifically with Ricinus communis agglutinin. At the same time, the 'galactosylated' enzyme possessed high stability and exhibited catalytic activity towards maltose. The Km values of the native and modified enzymes with maltose were 6 and 5 mM, respectively. p-Aminophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside residues incorporated in alpha-glucosidase and in other proteins were found to be antigenic determinants to which the pure antibodies were obtained.

Carcinoembryonic antigen from human malignant melanoma cells. I. Production and shedding characteristics

Two major findings are reported in the present studies: (a) Long-term cultivation, followed by cloning, of a human malignant melanoma HMMC-ShA cell line gave melanotic and amelanotic cell variants. During in vitro proliferation, the melanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShAE+) cells released carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and an inhibitor of phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte stimulation. Gel filtration patterns of CEA on Sephadex-G200 varied from one culture condition to another. Glycosylation-deficient CEA obtained from cells harvested from media supplemented with non-toxic levels of tunicamycin showed lower molecular weight and delayed filtration through Sephadex-G200. (b) Human melanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShAE+) differed from amelanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShA-) and glycosylation-deficient cells in the amount of CEA and in the suppression of lymphocyte response activity which they shed into the medium and as well as in oncogenicity in athymic nu/nu BALB/c mice.

Isolation of mannose-binding proteins from human and rat liver

A binding assay for the detection of mannose-binding proteins was developed, which uses a ligand of mammalian origin, 125I-labelled bovine pancreatic ribonuclease B. The binding assay was validated by using the recognized mannose-binding protein, concanavalin A. Microgram quantities of concanavalin A or mannose-binding proteins could be assayed. A mannose-binding protein was isolated from rat liver by affinity chromatography on mannose-Sepharose 6B. It has a Mr of approx. 900000 under non-dissociating conditions and contains a subunit of approx. 34000 Mr. When ribonuclease B-Sepharose was used as a ligand for affinity chromatography, the predominant mannose-binding material isolated from rat liver had a native Mr of 205000-225000 and consisted largely of a subunit of Mr 70000, which yielded subunits of Mr 28500 and 34000 on reduction. It is suggested that different mannose-binding proteins are isolated by the two affinity-chromatography ligands. A mannose-binding protein was also purified from human liver by affinity chromatography on mannose-Sepharose 6B. It has a native Mr of over 1000000 and consists of subunits with Mr 28000 and 30500. Its isolation suggests that mannose-mediated endocytosis or intracellular transport of glycoproteins occurs in human liver.

Competition between glycoprotein hormones and horseradish peroxidase for mannose-specific binding sites in cells of endocrine organs

Mannose-specific binding sites for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were studied in paraformaldehyde-fixed, frozen sections of endocrine organs by a cytochemical method reported previously. In the testis, HRP was bound to interstitial cells, probably macrophages, and to sites extending along the surface of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules. In the epididymis, cells in the connective tissue, probably fibroblasts or macrophages, showed the specific reaction. In the ovaries, the reaction for lectin-bound HRP was observed in connective tissue cells of the theca externa, and in the mucosa of the uterus, binding of HRP occurred to many fibroblasts. The glycoprotein was also bound to cells in the connective tissue of the thyroid, probably mast cells, as well as to endothelial cells in the adrenal medulla and cortex. In all cases, the binding reaction required Ca2+ and was suppressed by mannose or mannan. Partially purified and highly purified preparations of glycoprotein hormones [ovine follicle-stimulating hormone, ovine luteinizing hormone, bovine thyroid-stimulating hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin] as well as bovine thyroglobulin and yeast invertase competed with the binding of HRP to all the cells mentioned thus showing that the hormones were bound to the same sites as HRP. When 1 microM HRP was present in the incubation medium, the addition of 15-25 microM of highly purified hormones almost suppressed the reaction for lectin-bound HRP and competitive effects could be observed at even lower concentrations of the hormones.

The role of the liver in clearance of glycoproteins from the general circulation, with special reference to intestinal alkaline phosphatase

Glycoproteins represent a wide variety of macromolecules with important physiological functions. Characteristic variations in carbohydrate composition and plasma concentration of these proteins may occur during pathological conditions. Steady-state plasma concentrations are determined by release from normal or diseased tissues and simultaneous clearance from the general circulation. The liver occupies a central position in the production but also clearance and catabolism of such glycoproteins. A number of specialized receptor-mediated transport processes for different types of glycoproteins in this organ is reviewed. Membrane recognition is generally followed by absorptive endocytosis and vesicle transport to lysosomes, Golgi system and/or bile canaliculis. The charge of the protein, the nature of the terminal sugar residue or complex formation with other glycoproteins may determine the extent of uptake in the various cell types of the liver. By means of these transport processes the liver is able to remove potentially dangerous macromolecules such as denatured proteins, aggressive enzymes and immunocomplexes from the general circulation. Drugs can bind to some of these proteins or may interact with the hepatic transport or catabolism processes. Special attention is paid to the hepatic clearance of asialoglycoproteins with terminal galactose groups. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase is used as a model compound to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of hepatic uptake and biliary excretion in the rat in vivo and isolated perfused rat livers. Histochemical and electron-microscopic studies demonstrated a galactose-specific, receptor-mediated endocytotic process, mainly but not exclusively localized in centrolobular hepatocytes. Drug interactions with these processes will be the subject of further investigations.

Modulation of a glycoprotein recognition system on rat hepatic endothelial cells by glucose and diabetes mellitus

The cellular location and carbohydrate specificities of a glycoprotein recognition system on rat hepatic sinusoidal cells have been determined. Purified preparations of endothelial, Kupffer, and parenchymal cells were prepared by collagenase liver perfusion, centrifugation on Percoll gradients, and centrifugal elutriation. (125)I-labeled agalactoorosomucoid, an N-acetylglucosamine-terminated glycoprotein, was selectively taken up in vitro by endothelial cells. Uptake was shown to be protein dependent, calcium ion dependent, and saturable, and could be described by Michaelis-Menten kinetics (apparent K(m) 0.29 muM; apparent maximum velocity 4.8 pmol/h per 5 x 10(6) cells). Uptake was inhibited not only by N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and mannan but also by glucose, fructose, and a glucose-albumin conjugate. Inhibition by glucose was competitive over a wide range of concentrations and was almost 100% at a glucose concentration of 56 mM. Fasting and the induction of diabetes mellitus prior to isolation of cells was associated with 60% reductions in the recovery of endothelial cells. Uptake by cells isolated from fasted rats was enhanced (apparent maximum velocity 14.3 pmol/h per 5 x 10(6) cells without change in the apparent K(m)). These observations suggest that fasting is associated with a marked increase in the mean number of glycoprotein receptors per endothelial cell isolated from normal rats. This effect of fasting could be due to upregulation of glycoprotein receptors on endothelial cells or to the selective isolation of a subpopulation of endothelial cells from fasted animals that bears more glycoprotein receptors per cell than does another subpopulation of these cells. In addition, in vivo studies of the fate of intravenously administered (125)I-agalactoorosomucoid indicated that its rate of disappearance from plasma, hepatic accumulation, and catabolism were slower in diabetic than in normal rats. The results suggest that modulation of a carbohydrate-mediated glycoprotein recognition system located on hepatic endothelial cells can be induced by glucose and glucose-conjugated proteins and by fasting and diabetes mellitus. The findings in this study suggest a mechanism for abnormal glycoprotein metabolism in diabetes mellitus.

Expression of a mannosyl-fucosyl receptor for endocytosis on cultured primary macrophages and their hybrids

The presence of a pinocytosis receptor, specific for mannose-fucose terminated glycoproteins, has been established on murine resident peritoneal macrophages, thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages, and macrophages derived from bone-marrow in culture. Macrophagelike cell lines (J-774 and P338.D1), a myelomonocytic cell line (427E), lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and fibroblasts were negative. Binding and uptake of 125I-mannose-BSA and 125I-beta-glucuronidase, respectively, into thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages is saturable (Kd 4 degrees C = 5.4 X 10(-9) M; Kuptake 37 degrees C = 7 X 10(-7) M) and sugar specific. Macrophage-macrophage (rat X mouse) hybrids prepared by fusing rat alveolar macrophages with J-774-B10 (HAT-sensitive macrophagelike cell line) expresses the mannose-fucose receptor. Karyotypes of the hybrids confirmed a 1:1 fusion of rat and mouse cells. The rat/mouse hybrids express a variety of rat and mouse antigens including Fc receptors. Fibroblast-macrophage hybrids and melanoma-macrophage hybrids were negative for mannose-fucose receptor activity. The expression of the mannose-fucose receptor by macrophages appears to be regulated independently of other macrophage markers.

Multiple forms of human intestinal alkaline phosphatase: chemical and enzymatic properties, and circulating clearances of the fast- and slow-moving enzymes

Two forms of alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum, EC 3.1.3.1) have been purified from human small intestine by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and tyraminyl derivative affinity gel, and by preparative disc gel electrophoresis. Intestinal phosphatases were electrophoretically separated into two components, fast- and slow-moving enzymes, with apparent molecular weights of 140000 and 168000 and with subunit weights of 68000 and 80000, respectively. Analyses of carbohydrate and amino acid revealed marked differences in the two enzymes. Enzymatic properties and affinities for an anti-blood group antibody were also found to differ. Papain digestion released a hydrophobic small peptide from the slow-moving enzyme and its enzymatic properties resembled those of the fast-moving enzyme. Circulating clearance (T1/2) of the slow- and fast-moving enzymes from adult intestine was found to be 7.5 h and 1.3 h, respectively; that of fetal intestinal enzyme was 2.8 h. Sialidase, sialidase/beta-galactosidase, or sialidase/beta-galactosidase/N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase treatment of the fetal enzyme reduced the value to about 40 min. Further, digestion with alpha-fucosidase, alpha-mannosidase or both restored it to nearly the original level. Organ distribution of injected 125I-labelled enzymes indicates that the desialylated hepatic enzyme was selectively distributed in liver, while the degalactosylated intestinal enzyme was incorporated into liver lymph fluid, and small intestine. These results suggest that the pathway of circulating clearance of alkaline phosphatase has several routes.

Synthetic glycopeptide substrates for receptor-mediated endocytosis by macrophages

Mammalian macrophages contain a transport system that binds and internalizes glycoproteins with exposed mannose residues. This system and analogous systems on other types of cells require substrates to bear multiple nonreducing terminal residues of the appropriate sugar for effective uptake. Small multivalent synthetic glycopeptides with mannose residues covalently linked through a spacer arm to the alpha- and epsilon-amino groups of lysine, dilysine, and trilysine are competitive inhibitors of rat alveolar macrophage uptake of the neoglycoprotein mannosyl-bovine serum albumin with inhibition constants in the microM range. Various compounds could be covalently attached to the alpha-carboxyl group of these glycopeptides with substantial retention of inhibitory potency. This uptake system does not recognize galactose residues, and the galactosyl analog of an inhibitory mannosylpeptide did not inhibit uptake of mannosyl-bovine serum albumin. The trimannosyldilysine ligand is not only an inhibitor but also a substrate for specific uptake by macrophage, as shown with an 125I-labeled derivative. Macrophages bound 6.4 x 10(5) molecules per cell at 0 degrees C with a dissociation constant of 2 microM. At 21 degrees C the cells could internalize the labeled conjugate with an apparent Michaelis constant of 6 microM and a maximal velocity of 1.7 x 10(5) molecules per min per cel. The dissociation constant and Michaelis constant are similar to the inhibition constant of 9 microM determined at 21 degrees C for inhibition by this conjugate at mannosyl-bovine serum albumin uptake. These synthetic substrates may be useful in targeting pharmacologic agents to macrophages, and analogous compounds may target such agents to other types of cell.

O-(4-Diazo-3,5-di[125I]iodobenzoyl)sucrose, a novel radioactive label for determining organ sites of catabolism of plasma proteins

A method is described for radiolabelling proteins with O-(4-diazo-3,5-di[125I]iodobenzoyl)sucrose (DD125IBS). When proteins so labelled were degraded within lysosomes, the radioactive fragments were largely retained within the organelle. High specific radioactivities were obtained without changing the properties of the protein. The validity of the method was demonstrated in vivo in rats using the short-lived protein lactate dehydrogenase, isoenzyme M4, and the long-lived protein bovine serum albumin. Derivatization with DD125IBS did not alter the clearance of either protein. Uptake of DD125IBS-labelled lactate dehydrogenase, isoenzyme M4, by liver and spleen of rats was determined. Radioactivity in these tissues increased up to about 2 h after injection (at this time the protein has been almost completely cleared from the blood) and subsequently declined with a half-life of approx. 20 h. After differential fractionation of liver, radioactivity was largely found in the mitochondrial and lysosomal fraction. The results of these studies establish that DD125IBS covalently coupled to plasma proteins should be a useful radioactive tracer for identifying the tissue and cellular sites of catabolism of relatively long-lived circulating proteins.

Studies in vivo of the tissue uptake, cellular distribution and catabolic turnover of exogenous glucocerebrosidase in rat

The kinetics of plasma clearance of highly purified human placental glucocerebrosidase in rats were biphasic with 75% of the infused dose showing a rapid clearance (t1/2 = 11 min) and the remaining 25% a considerably lower rate (t1/2 = 60 min). The majority of the enzyme (60%) was taken up by the liver. Although saturation kinetics for the clearance or uptake were not observed, the very high hepatic endocytic index (217 microliter/min) of glucocerebrosidase uptake indicated that liver uptake was mediated by an adsorptive endocytic process. Analysis of the cellular distribution of recovered glucocerebrosidase revealed predominantly parenchymal cell uptake with 38% of the exogenous enzyme in hepatocytes and only 2% in sinusoidal cells. High-mannose glycoproteins blocked hepatocyte and sinusoidal cell uptake of glucocerebrosidase equally. Kinetic experiments failed to demonstrate a transfer or shuttle of exogenous glucocerebrosidase from sinusoidal cells to hepatocytes. The possibility was raised that uptake of enzyme by the liver may be mediated by a common receptor that functions in both hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells. The catabolic turnover of exogenous glucocerebrosidase in rat liver was biphasic and the rate of decline was similar in hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells.

L-Fucose-terminated glycoconjugates are recognized by pinocytosis receptors on macrophages

125I-Labeled L-fucose-albumin complex and rat preputial beta-glucuronidase are rapidly cleared from plasma after intravenous infusion. L-Fucose-albumin retards the plasma clearance of beta-glucuronidase whereas D-fucose-albumin is inactive. In vitro, 125I-labeled L-fucose-albumin is taken up into rat or rabbit alveolar macrophages by receptor-mediated pinocytosis. Uptake (37 degrees C) is time-dependent, is saturable with increasing ligand concentration (Kuptake = 4.4 X 10(-8) M), and requires Ca2+. 125I-labeled D-fucose-albumin is poorly taken up. Binding (4 degrees C) is saturable and Ca2+ dependent. Binding and uptake are fully inhibited by yeast mannan. A series of neoglycoproteins, including L-fucose-albumin, were tested as inhibitors of uptake of 125I-labeled beta-glucuronidase into macrophages. The following order of potency was observed: L-Fuc = D-Man greater than GlcNAc approximately D-Glc greater than D-Xyl much greater than than D-Gal = L-Ara = D-Fuc. L-Fucose-terminated oligosaccharides coupled to bovine serum albumin also block 125I-labeled beta-glucuronidase uptake into macrophages.

Isolation and characterization of a mannose/N-acetylglucosamine/fucose-binding protein from rat liver

A rat liver mannan-binding protein was isolated by affinity chromatography on invertase--Sepharose by a modification of the method of Kawasaki, Etoh & Yamashina [(1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 81, 1018-1024] and by a new method involving chromatography on mannose-Sepharose. The binding protein appears as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with an apparent mol.wt. of approx. 30000. Binding of 125I-labelled mannan is saturable and inhibited by mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, or L-fucose but not by galactose or mannose 6-phosphate. Neoglycoproteins containing mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, or L-fucose, but not galactose, are inhibitory. The neoglycoproteins are 10000-fold more effective (based on moles of sugar) than are free monosaccharides as inhibitors. 125I-labelled mannan binding to the binding protein is calcium-dependent.

Cytochemical detection of mannose-specific receptors for glycoproteins with horseradish peroxidase as a ligand

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a glycoprotein rich in mannose groups, was used as a ligand to detect receptors for glycoproteins in formalin-fixed, frozen sections of rat liver. Specific binding of HRP occurred to surface membranes of sinusoidal cells but not to those of parenchymal cells. The binding sites were visualized after the peroxidatic reaction in erythrocytes had been suppressed by methanol-H2O2 and phenylhydrazine, the latter reagent also decreasing the nonspecific background adsorption of HRP. Several factors influencing the reaction were studied systematically. The specific binding of HRP to sinusoidal cells was greatly decreased or abolished when tissue blocks were fixed for longer than 1-2 h in a cold 4% formaldehyde solution and the frozen sections subsequently treated for 30 min in cold methanol. The specific binding of HRP increased when the concentration of HRP in the medium was increased from 10 microgram/ml to 40 microgram/ml, when the time of incubation with HRP was increased from 1 h to 4 h, or when the temperature of incubation with HRP was increased from 4 degrees C to 22 degrees C, the pH of the incubation medium was increased from 7.0 to 10.0. Little or no specific binding of HRP was observed in the absence of added Ca++. The binding of HRP was suppressed by 10 mM mannose or 0.004% mannan whereas the suppression of the binding reaction by galactose or galactan required 30-40 ties higher concentrations.

The site of incorporation of sialic acid residues into glycoproteins and the subsequent fates of these molecules in various rat and mouse cell types as shown by radioautography after injection of [3H]N-acetylmannosamine. I. Observations in hepatocytes

To study the site of incorporation of sialic acid residues into glycoproteins in hepatocytes, we gave 40-g rats and 15-g Swiss albino mice a single intravenous injection of [3H]N-acetylmannosamine (8 mCi) and then sacrificed them after 2 and 10 min. To trace the subsequent migration of the labeled glycoproteins, we injected 40-g rats with 4 mCi of [3H]N-acetylmannosamine and sacrificed them after 20 and 30 min, 1, 4, and 24 h, and 3 and 9 d. Concurrent biochemical experiments were carried out to test the specificity of injected [3H]N-acetylmannosamine as a precursor for sialic acid residues of glycoproteins. In radioautographs from rats and mice sacrificed 10 min after injection, grain counts showed that over 69% of the silver grains occurred over the Golgi region. The majority of these grains were localized over the trans face of the Golgi stack, as well as over associated secretory vesicles and possibly GERL. In rats, the proportion of grains over the Golgi region decreased with time to 37% at 1 h, 11% at 4 h, and 6% at 24 h. Meanwhile, the proportion of grains over the plasma membrane increased from 4% at 10 min to 29% at 1 h and over 55% at 4 and 24 h; two-thirds of these grains lay over the sinusoidal membrane, and the remainder were equally divided over the lateral and bile canalicular membranes. Many silver grains also appeared over lysosomes at the 4- and 24-h time intervals, accounting for 15-17% of the total. At 3 and 9 d after injection, light microscope radioautographs revealed a grain distribution similar to that seen at 24 h, with a progressive decrease in the intensity of labeling such that by 9 d only a very light reaction remained. Because our biochemical findings indicated that [3H]N-acetylmannosamine is a fairly specific precursor for the sialic acid residues of glycoproteins (and perhaps glycolipids), the interpretation of these results is that sialic acid is incorporated into these molecules in the Golgi apparatus and that the latter then migrate to secretion products, to the plasma membrane, and to lysosomes in a process of continuous renewal. It is possible that some of the label seen in lysosomes at later time intervals may have been derived from the plasma membrane or from material arising outside the cells.

Fluid endocytosis by rat liver and spleen. Experiments with 125I-labelled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) in vivo

1. Rates of fluid endocytosis of rat liver, spleen, hepatocytes and sinusoidal liver cells have been determined, by using 125I-labelled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as marker. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) was injected intravenously into rats, and plasma clearance and uptake by liver and spleen were estimated. From these data, rates of fluid endocytosis of 1.2 and 1.8 ml of plasma/g of protein per day were calculated for liver and spleen respectively. Essentially the same results were found in nephrectomized rats. 2. Hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells were separately isolated by the collagenase/Pronase method, and sinusoidal cells were further fractionated by centrifugal elutriation. Hepatocytes, sinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells and endothelial cells showed rates of fluid endocytosis of 0.96, 9.0, 19 and 13 ml of plasma/g of cell protein per day respectively. Total-body X-irradiation did not influence uptake of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) by spleen, indicating that spleen lymphocytes are not significantly involved in fluid endocytosis. 3. For liver a rate constant of exocytosis of 5% per day was found, whereas for spleen no significant loss of accumulated label could be demonstrated during a 21-day period. 4. Distribution of label over a great number of organs and tissues was measured 9 days after the injection. Liver, skin, bone and muscle together contained about 70% of the label present in the carcass; only spleen and lymph nodes contained more label per g fresh weight of tissue than liver.

The role of extra-hepatic tissues in the receptor-mediated plasma clearance of glycoproteins terminated by mannose or N-acetylglucosamine

The mannose- and N-acetylglucosamine-specific pathway for the clearance of mammalian glycoproteins has been characterized by using 125I-labelled neoglycoproteins, glycosidase-treated orosomucoid and lysosomal glycosidases (beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase) as probes. There are two components to this pathway in vivo; one liver-dependent and the other extrahepatic or liver-independent. Cells that mediate clearance by the latter component of the pathway are present in spleen, bone and in elements of the reticuloendothelial system, but not in the kidney. Glycoproteins that possess terminal mannose, glucose or N-acetylglucosamine residues, including various lysosomal enzymes, are rapidly cleared from plasma via this pathway. Glucose-terminated glycoproteins are recognized by two pathways in the intact animal; the hepatic galactose-specific pathway and the mannose/N-acetylglycosamine-specific pathway, which is present in liver and in peripheral tissues. Following removal of the liver by surgical evisceration, glucose-terminated glycoproteins are cleared whereas glycoproteins bearing galactose are not cleared. Uptake of 125I-labelled neoglycoproteins and agalacto-orosomucoid by isolated alveolar macrophages closely mimics clearance in vivo by the mannose/N-acetylglucosamine pathway. Neoglycoproteins terminated by mannose, glucose or N-acetylglucosamine all compete with 125I-labelled agalacto-orosomucoid for uptake by receptor-mediated pinocytosis. The extent of substitution of the neoglycoproteins is a critical determinant of their inhibitory potency. It is proposed that mononuclear phagocytes are in important component of the clearance pathway in vivo. The mannose/N-acetylglucosamine pathway may be important in the regulation of extracellular levels of various glycosylated macromolecules, including lysosomal hydrolases.

Endocytosis and breakdown of ribonuclease oligomers by sinusoidal rat liver cells in vivo. I. Effect of size

Aspects of protein structure determining endocytosis of proteins by sinusoidal rat liver cells in vivo have been studied, using cross-linked or aggregated derivatives of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (labelled with 125I) as probes. Ribonuclease was cross-linked by reaction with dimethylsuberimidate, a way of modification that does not change the charge of the protein. Monomer, dimer and polymer fractions were isolated by gel filtration and characterized in respect of size and number of amino groups modified. Maintenance of enzyme activity, stability of disulfide bonds, and lack of susceptibility to endoproteases showed that the cross-linking procedure did not result in gross conformational changes of the ribonuclease molecules. Monomer, dimer and polymer fractions were injected into nephrectomized rats and plasma clearance and uptake in liver and spleen were determined. About 30% of the injected polymer fraction was found in liver 15 min after injection; for dimer and monomer fractions values of 6% and 2% of the dose were found. Similar differences were found in spleen. Autoradiography, cell isolation, and subcellular fractionation showed that in liver the radioactive proteins were taken up in lysosomes of sinusoidal cells. Similar results were obtained with fractions of aggregated ribonuclease prepared by freeze-drying the protein from 50% acetic acid. Our results demonstrate that the rate of uptake of the ribonuclease derivatives is positively correlated with the size of the molecules. Similarity of the results obtained with cross-linked and aggregated fractions suggests that the number of ribonuclease 'subunits'/molecule, rather than the procedures used to prepare the polymers, determine the rate of uptake by liver and spleen.