Structure of main globoside of human erythrocytes

The role of Globo H and SSEA-4 in the development and progression of cancer, and their potential as therapeutic targets

Glycans, chains of sugar molecules found conjugated to cell proteins and lipids, contribute to their growth, movement and differentiation. Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of several medical conditions including tumorigenesis. Glycosphingolipids (GSLs), consisting of glycans conjugated to a lipid (ceramide) core, are found in the lipid bilayer of eukaryotic cell membranes. GSLs, play an active role in cell processes. Several GSLs are expressed by human embryonic stem cells and have been found to be overexpressed in several types of cancer. In this review, we discuss the data, hypotheses and perspectives related to the GSLs Globo H and SSEA-4.

Application of the Antibody-Inducing Activity of Glycosphingolipids to Human Diseases

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are composed of a mono-, di-, or oligosaccharide and a ceramide and function as constituents of cell membranes. Various molecular species of GSLs have been identified in mammalian cells due to differences in the structures of oligosaccharides. The oligosaccharide structure can vary depending on cell lineage, differentiation stage, and pathology; this property can be used as a cell identification marker. Furthermore, GSLs are involved in various aspects of the immune response, such as cytokine production, immune signaling, migration of immune cells, and antibody production. GSLs containing certain structures exhibit strong immunogenicity in immunized animals and promote the production of anti-GSL antibodies. By exploiting this property, it is possible to generate antibodies that recognize the fine oligosaccharide structure of specific GSLs or glycoproteins. In our study using artificially synthesized GSLs (artGSLs), we found that several structural features are correlated with the antibody-inducing activity of GSLs. Based on these findings, we designed artGSLs that efficiently induce the production of antibodies accompanied by class switching and developed several antibodies that recognize not only certain glycan structures of GSLs but also those of glycoproteins. This review comprehensively introduces the immune activities of GSLs and their application as pharmaceuticals.

Valid Presumption of Shiga Toxin-Mediated Damage of Developing Erythrocytes in EHEC-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

The global emergence of clinical diseases caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an issue of great concern. EHEC release Shiga toxins (Stxs) as their key virulence factors, and investigations on the cell-damaging mechanisms toward target cells are inevitable for the development of novel mitigation strategies. Stx-mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), characterized by the triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal injury, is the most severe outcome of an EHEC infection. Hemolytic anemia during HUS is defined as the loss of erythrocytes by mechanical disruption when passing through narrowed microvessels. The formation of thrombi in the microvasculature is considered an indirect effect of Stx-mediated injury mainly of the renal microvascular endothelial cells, resulting in obstructions of vessels. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent data providing evidence that HUS-associated hemolytic anemia may arise not only from intravascular rupture of erythrocytes, but also from the extravascular impairment of erythropoiesis, the development of red blood cells in the bone marrow, via direct Stx-mediated damage of maturing erythrocytes, leading to “non-hemolytic” anemia.

Elucidation of the enigma of glycosphingolipids in the regulation of inflammation and degeneration - Great progress over the last 70 years

Since globotetraosylceramide was defined as a major glycosphingolipid in human erythrocytes, various glycolipids have been found in normal cells and diseased organs. However, the implications of their polymorphic structures in the function of individual cells and tissues have not been clarified. Genetic manipulation of glycosphingolipids in cultured cells and experimental animals has enabled us to substantially elucidate their roles. In fact, great progress has been achieved in the last 70 years in revealing that glycolipids are essential in the maintenance of integrity of nervous tissues and other organs. Furthermore, the correct composition of glycosphingolipids has been shown to be critical for the protection against inflammation and degeneration. Here, we summarized historic information and current knowledge about glycosphingolipids, with a focus on their involvement in inflammation and degeneration. This topic is significant for understanding the biological responses to various stresses, because glycosphingolipids play roles in the interaction with various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These findings are also important for the application of therapeutic interventions of various diseases.

TLR4-MD-2 complex is negatively regulated by an endogenous ligand, globotetraosylceramide

Although endogenous ligands for Toll-like receptor (TLR)4-myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) have not been well-understood, we here report that a globo-series glycosphingolipid, globotetraosylceramide (Gb4), attenuates the toxicity of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) by binding to TLR4-MD-2. Because α1,4-galactosyltransferase (A4galt)-deficient mice lacking globo-series glycosphingolipids showed higher sensitivity to LPS than wild-type mice, we examined mechanisms by which globo-series glycosphingolipids attenuate LPS toxicity. Cultured endothelial cells lacking A4galt showed higher expression of LPS-inducible genes upon LPS treatment. In turn, introduction of A4galt cDNA resulted in the neo expression of Gb4, leading to the reduced expression of LPS-inducible genes. Exogenous Gb4 induced similar effects. As a mechanism for the suppressive effects of Gb4 on LPS signals, specific binding of Gb4 to the LPS receptor TLR4-MD-2 was demonstrated by coprecipitation of Gb4 with recombinant MD-2 and by native PAGE. A docking model also supported these data. Taken together with colocalization of TLR4-MD-2 with Gb4 in lipid rafts after LPS stimulation, it was suggested that Gb4 competes with LPS for binding to TLR4-MD-2. Finally, administration of Gb4 significantly protected mice from LPS-elicited mortality. These results suggest that Gb4 is an endogenous ligand for TLR4-MD-2 and is capable of attenuating LPS toxicity, indicating the possibility for its therapeutic application in endotoxin shock.

Structural characterization and dynamics of globotetraosylceramide in vascular endothelial cells under TNF-alpha stimulation

In several vascular inflammatory reactions (i.e. immunity and thrombosis) inflammatory mediators lead to the activation of vascular endothelial cells (EC). To date, a number of functional molecules induced on the surface of activated-EC have been identified. We report here that Globotetraosylceramide (Gb4), a glycosphingolipid expressed in EC, is a novel inducible molecule on EC activated by TNF-alpha. The cell surface expression of Gb4 is increased in a time-dependent manner under TNF-alpha stimulation, which shows distinct expression kinetics of major proteins induced by TNF-alpha on EC. MALDI-TOFMS analysis revealed that the enhanced Gb4 predominantly contains C24:0 fatty acid in the ceramide moiety. Isolated caveolae/lipid raft-enriched detergent insoluble membrane domains in activated-EC predominantly contain this molecular species of Gb4. Gb4 containing C16:0 fatty acid in the ceramide moiety, which is known to constitute the major species of Gb4 in plasma, is also found as a major molecular species in EC. These observations indicate that Gb4, especially with very long fatty acid, is enhanced in EC during its inflammatory reaction, and suggest the potential utility of Gb4 as a biomarker for monitoring inflammation status of EC involving its related diseases.

Structure and function of glycosphingolipids and sphingolipids: recollections and future trends

Based on development of various methodologies for isolation and characterization of glycosphingolipids (GSLs), we have identified a number of GSLs with globo-series or lacto-series structure. Many of them are tumor-associated or developmentally regulated antigens. The major question arose, what are their functions in cells and tissues? Various approaches to answer this question were undertaken. While the method is different for each approach, we have continuously studied GSL or glycosyl epitope interaction with functional membrane components, which include tetraspanins, growth factor receptors, integrins, and signal transducer molecules. Often, GSLs were found to interact with other carbohydrates within a specific membrane microdomain termed "glycosynapse", which mediates cell adhesion with concurrent signal transduction. Future trends in GSL and glycosyl epitope research are considered, including stem cell biology and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.

DEAE-silica gel and DEAE-controlled porous glass as ion exchangers for isolation of glycolipids

DEAE-silica gel and DEAE-controlled porous glass have been used for the quantitative isolation of gangliosides and neutral glycosphingolipids from animal tissues and cells. A direct comparative study between DEAE-silica gel, DEAE-controlled porous glass and DEAE-Sephadex was made; the results indicated that DEAE-silica gel is preferable to the other two ion exchangers. DEAE-silica gel has also been found to be suitable for the fractionation of ganglioside mixtures.

Extracellular lipids of yeasts

Images