Differential expression of heparan sulfate domains in rat spleen

Optimal Extracellular Matrix Niches for Neurogenesis: Identifying Glycosaminoglycan Chain Composition in the Subventricular Neurogenic Zone

In the adult mammalian brain, new neurons are generated in a restricted region called the neurogenic niche, which refers to the specific regulatory microenvironment of neural stem cells (NSCs). Among the constituents of neurogenic niches, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has emerged as a key player in NSC maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation. In particular, heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans are capable of regulating various growth factor signaling pathways that influence neurogenesis. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the ECM niche in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ), with a special focus on basement membrane (BM)-like structures called fractones, and discuss how fractones, particularly their composition of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), may influence neurogenesis.

Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with complex pathological characteristics, whose etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. Over the past few decades, the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) has gained importance in neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we describe the role of the ECM in AD, focusing on the aspects of synaptic transmission, amyloid-β-plaque generation and degradation, Tau-protein production, oxidative-stress response, and inflammatory response. The function of ECM in the pathological process of AD will inform future research on the etiology and pathogenesis of AD.

Regulation of fractone heparan sulfate composition in young and aged subventricular zone neurogenic niches

Fractones, specialized extracellular matrix structures found in the subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenic niche, can capture growth factors, such as basic fibroblast growth factor, from the extracellular milieu through a heparin-binding mechanism for neural stem cell presentation, which promotes neurogenesis. During aging, a decline in neurogenesis correlates with a change in the composition of heparan sulfate (HS) within fractones. In this study, we used antibodies that recognize specific short oligosaccharides with varying sulfation to evaluate the HS composition in fractones in young and aged brains. To further understand the conditions that regulate 6-O sulfation levels and its impact on neurogenesis, we used endosulfatase Sulf1 and Sulf2 double knock out (DKO) mice. Fractones in the SVZ of Sulf1/2 DKO mice showed immunoreactivity for the HS epitope, suggesting higher 6-O sulfation. While neurogenesis declined in the aged SVZ of both WT and Sulf1/2 DKO mice, we observed a larger number of neuroblasts in the young and aged SVZ of Sulf1/2 DKO mice. Together, these results show that the removal of 6-O-sulfation in fractones HS by endosulfatases inhibits neurogenesis in the SVZ. Our findings advance the current understanding regarding the extracellular environment that is best suited for neural stem cells to thrive, which is critical for the design of future stem cell therapies.

Proteoglycan-Dependent Endo-Lysosomal Fusion Affects Intracellular Survival of Salmonella Typhimurium in Epithelial Cells

Proteoglycans (PGs) are glycoconjugates which are predominately expressed on cell surfaces and consist of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) linked to a core protein. An initial step of GAGs assembly is governed by the β-D-xylosyltransferase enzymes encoded in mammals by the XylT1/XylT2 genes. PGs are essential for the interaction of a cell with other cells as well as with the extracellular matrix. A number of studies highlighted a role of PGs in bacterial adhesion, invasion, and immune response. In this work, we investigated a role of PGs in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) infection of epithelial cells. Gentamicin protection and chloroquine resistance assays were applied to assess invasion and replication of S. Typhimurium in wild-type and xylosyltransferase-deficient (ΔXylT2) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells lacking PGs. We found that S. Typhimurium adheres to and invades CHO WT and CHO ΔXylT2 cells at comparable levels. However, 24 h after infection, proteoglycan-deficient CHO ΔXylT2 cells are significantly less colonized by S. Typhimurium compared to CHO WT cells. This proteoglycan-dependent phenotype could be rescued by addition of PGs to the cell culture medium, as well as by complementation of the XylT2 gene. Chloroquine resistance assay and immunostaining revealed that in the absence of PGs, significantly less bacteria are associated with Salmonella-containing vacuoles (SCVs) due to a re-distribution of endocytosed gentamicin. Inhibition of endo-lysosomal fusion by a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase PIKfyve significantly increased S. Typhimurium burden in CHO ΔXylT2 cells demonstrating an important role of PGs for PIKfyve dependent vesicle fusion which is modulated by Salmonella to establish infection. Overall, our results demonstrate that PGs influence survival of intracellular Salmonella in epithelial cells via modulation of PIKfyve-dependent endo-lysosomal fusion.

Heparan Sulfates Support Pyramidal Cell Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity, and Context Discrimination

Heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans represent a major component of the extracellular matrix and are critical for brain development. However, their function in the mature brain remains to be characterized. Here, acute enzymatic digestion of HS side chains was used to uncover how HSs support hippocampal function in vitro and in vivo. We found that long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission at CA3-CA1 Schaffer collateral synapses was impaired after removal of highly sulfated HSs with heparinase 1. This reduction was associated with decreased Ca2+ influx during LTP induction, which was the consequence of a reduced excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons. At the subcellular level, heparinase treatment resulted in reorganization of the distal axon initial segment, as detected by a reduction in ankyrin G expression. In vivo, digestion of HSs impaired context discrimination in a fear conditioning paradigm and oscillatory network activity in the low theta band after fear conditioning. Thus, HSs maintain neuronal excitability and, as a consequence, support synaptic plasticity and learning.

Immunoarchitecture of Distinct Reticular Fibroblastic Domains in the White Pulp of Mouse Spleen

The development of peripheral lymphoid tissues requires a series of cognate interactions between hemopoietic and stromal cell populations, including reticular fibroblasts, which form the mesenchymal scaffolding of distinct tissue compartments. Here we describe the formation of different fibroblastic domains in the mouse spleen white pulp by using two new rat monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). In the white pulp, MAb IBL-10 labels both T- and B-cell zone reticular elements at various intensities. The IBL-10hi subset was found primarily at the edge between the peripheral part of the PALS and follicles, and the IBL-10lo compartment was distributed evenly within the white pulp. The IBL-10hi subset appeared during the first 2 postnatal weeks and was absent in SCID mice. The white pulp fibroblast subset identified with MAb IBL-11 had a different tissue distribution and kinetics of ontogeny, with an appearance overwhelmingly restricted to the PALS and a narrow rim at the edge of the follicular border area toward the marginal zone. The appearance of IBL-11–positive reticular cells was delayed compared with that of the IBL-10lo–positive subset. The formation was independent of the influence of antigen receptor–bearing lymphocytes, as evidenced by the presence of IBL-11–positive fibroblasts in SCID mice. By transferring various lymphocyte subsets into SCID mice, partial compartmentalization of the white pulp fibroblasts could be induced, indicating that these mesenchymal fibroblast precursors retain their ability to differentiate upon encountering mature T- or B-cells.

Heparan sulfate phage display antibodies recognise epitopes defined by a combination of sugar sequence and cation binding

Phage display antibodies are widely used to follow heparan sulfate (HS) expression in tissues and cells. We demonstrate by ELISA, that cations alter phage display antibody binding profiles to HS and this is mediated by changes in polysaccharide conformation, demonstrated by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Native HS structures, expressed on the cell surfaces of neuroblastoma and fibroblast cells, also exhibited altered antibody binding profiles following exposure to low mM concentrations of these cations. Phage display antibodies recognise conformationally-defined HS epitopes, rather than sequence alone, as has been assumed, and resemble proteins in being sensitive to changes in both charge distribution and conformation following binding of cations to HS polysaccharides.

Sulf1 and Sulf2 Differentially Modulate Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Sulfation during Postnatal Cerebellum Development: Evidence for Neuroprotective and Neurite Outgrowth Promoting Functions

Introduction

Sulf1 and Sulf2 are cell surface sulfatases, which remove specific 6-O-sulfate groups from heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans, resulting in modulation of various HS-dependent signaling pathways. Both Sulf1 and Sulf2 knockout mice show impairments in brain development and neurite outgrowth deficits in neurons.

Methodology and Main Findings

To analyze the molecular mechanisms behind these impairments we focused on the postnatal cerebellum, whose development is mainly characterized by proliferation, migration, and neurite outgrowth processes of precursor neurons. Primary cerebellar granule cells isolated from Sulf1 or Sulf2 deficient newborns are characterized by a reduction in neurite length and cell survival. Furthermore, Sulf1 deficiency leads to a reduced migration capacity. The observed impairments in cell survival and neurite outgrowth could be correlated to Sulf-specific interference with signaling pathways, as shown for FGF2, GDNF and NGF. In contrast, signaling of Shh, which determines the laminar organization of the cerebellar cortex, was not influenced in either Sulf1 or Sulf2 knockouts. Biochemical analysis of cerebellar HS demonstrated, for the first time in vivo, Sulf-specific changes of 6-O-, 2-O- and N-sulfation in the knockouts. Changes of a particular HS epitope were found on the surface of Sulf2-deficient cerebellar neurons. This epitope showed a restricted localization to the inner half of the external granular layer of the postnatal cerebellum, where precursor cells undergo final maturation to form synaptic contacts.

Conclusion

Sulfs introduce dynamic changes in HS proteoglycan sulfation patterns of the postnatal cerebellum, thereby orchestrating fundamental mechanisms underlying brain development.

New targets for glycosaminoglycans and glycosaminoglycans as novel targets

Biological functions of a variety of proteins are mediated via their interaction with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The structural diversity within the wide GAG landscape provides individual interaction sites for a multitude of proteins involved in several pathophysiological processes. This 'GAG angle' of such proteins as well as their specific GAG ligands give rise to novel therapeutic concepts for drug development. Current glycomic technologies to elucidate the glycan structure-function relationships, methods to investigate the selectivity and specificity of glycan-protein interactions and existing therapeutic approaches to interfere with GAG-protein interactions are discussed.

Heparin biosynthesis

Heparin and heparan sulfate share the same polysaccharide backbone structure but differ in sulfation degree and expression pattern. Whereas heparan sulfate is found in virtually all cells of the human body, heparin expression is restricted to mast cells, where it has a function in storage of granular components such as histamine and mast cell specific proteases. Although differing in charge and sulfation pattern, current knowledge indicates that the same pathway is used for synthesis of heparin and heparan sulfate, with a large number of different enzymes taking part in the process. At present, little is known about how the individual enzymes are coordinated and how biosynthesis is regulated. These questions are addressed in this chapter together with a review of the basic enzymatic steps involved in initiation, elongation, and modification of the polysaccharides.

A role for heparan sulfate proteoglycans in Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite invasion of anopheline mosquito salivary glands

HS (heparan sulfate) has been shown to be an important mediator of Plasmodium sporozoite homing and invasion of the liver, but the role of this glycosaminoglycan in mosquito vector host-sporozoite interactions is unknown. We have biochemically characterized the function of AgOXT1 (Anopheles gambiae peptide-O-xylosyltransferase 1) and confirmed that AgOXT1 can modify peptides representing model HS and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in vitro. Moreover, we also demonstrated that the mosquito salivary gland basal lamina proteoglycans are modified by HS. We used RNA interference-mediated knockdown of HS biosynthesis in A. gambiae salivary glands to determine whether Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites that are released from mosquito midgut oocysts use salivary gland HS as a receptor for tissue invasion. Our results suggest that salivary gland basal lamina HS glycosaminoglycans only partially mediate midgut sporozoite invasion of this tissue, and that in the absence of HS, the presence of other surface co-receptors is sufficient to facilitate parasite entry.

Differential distribution of heparan sulfate glycoforms and elevated expression of heparan sulfate biosynthetic enzyme genes in the brain of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice

The primary pathology in mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB is lysosomal storage of heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycans, leading to complex neuropathology and dysfunction, for which the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Using antibodies that recognize specific HS glycoforms, we demonstrate differential cell-specific and domain-specific lysosomal HS-GAG distribution in MPS IIIB mouse brain. We also describe a novel neuron-specific brain HS epitope with broad, non-specific increase in the expression in all neurons in MPS IIIB mouse brain, including cerebellar granule neurons, which do not exhibit lysosomal storage pathology. This suggests that biosynthesis of certain HS glycoforms is enhanced throughout the CNS of MPS IIIB mice. Such a conclusion is further supported by demonstration of increased expression of multiple genes encoding enzymes essential in HS biosynthesis, including HS sulfotransferases and epimerases, as well as FGFs, for which HS serves as a co-receptor, in MPS IIIB brain. These data suggest that lysosomal storage of HS may lead to the increase in HS biosyntheses, which may contribute to the neuropathology of MPS IIIB by exacerbating the lysosomal HS storage.

The heparan sulfate motif (GlcNS6S-IdoA2S)3, common in heparin, has a strict topography and is involved in cell behavior and disease

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a structurally complex polysaccharide that interacts with a broad spectrum of extracellular effector ligands and thereby is thought to regulate a diverse array of biologic processes. The specificity of HS-ligand interactions is determined by the arrangement of sulfate groups on HS, which creates distinct binding motifs. Biologically important HS motifs are expected to exhibit regulated expression, yet there is a profound lack of tools to identify such motifs; consequently, little is known of their structures and functions. We have identified a novel phage display-derived antibody (NS4F5) that recognizes a highly regulated HS motif (HS(NS4F5)), which we have rigorously identified as (GlcNS6S-IdoA2S)(3). HS(NS4F5) exhibits a restricted expression in healthy adult tissues. Blocking HS(NS4F5) on cells in culture resulted in reduced proliferation and enhanced sensitivity to apoptosis. HS(NS4F5) is up-regulated in tumor endothelial cells, consistent with a role in endothelial cell activation. Indeed, TNF-α stimulated endothelial expression of HS(NS4F5), which contributed to leukocyte adhesion. In a mouse model of severe systemic amyloid protein A amyloidosis, HS(NS4F5) was expressed within amyloid deposits, which were successfully detected by microSPECT imaging using NS4F5 as a molecularly targeted probe. Combined, our results demonstrate that NS4F5 is a powerful tool for elucidating the biological function of HS(NS4F5) and can be exploited as a probe to detect novel polysaccharide biomarkers of disease processes.

Sulfation of heparan sulfate associated with amyloid-beta plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by pathological lesions such as amyloid-beta (Abeta) plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Both these lesions consist mainly of aggregated Abeta protein and this aggregation is affected by macromolecules such as heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans. Previous studies demonstrated that HS enhances fibrillogenesis of Abeta and that this enhancement is dependent on the degree of sulfation of HS. In addition, it has been reported that these sulfation epitopes do not occur randomly but have a defined tissue distribution. Until now, the distribution of sulfation epitopes of HS has not yet been studied in human brain. We investigated whether a specific HS epitope is associated with Abeta plaques by performing immunohistochemistry on occipital neocortical and hippocampal tissue sections from AD patients using five HS epitope-specific phage display antibodies. Antibodies recognizing highly N-sulfated HS demonstrated the highest level of staining in both fibrillar Abeta plaques and non-fibrillar Abeta plaques, whereas antibodies recognizing HS regions with a lower degree of N-sulfate modifications were only immunoreactive with fibrillar Abeta plaques. Thus, our results suggest that a larger variety of HS epitopes is associated with fibrillar Abeta plaques, but the HS epitopes associated with non-fibrillar Abeta plaques seem to be more restricted, selectively consisting of highly N-sulfated epitopes.

Heparan sulfate phage display antibodies identify distinct epitopes with complex binding characteristics: insights into protein binding specificities

Heparan sulfate (HS) binds and modulates the transport and activity of a large repertoire of regulatory proteins. The HS phage display antibodies are powerful tools for the analysis of native HS structure in situ; however, their epitopes are not well defined. Analysis of the binding specificities of a set of HS antibodies by competitive binding assays with well defined chemically modified heparins demonstrates that O-sulfates are essential for binding; however, increasing sulfation does not necessarily correlate with increased antibody reactivity. IC50 values for competition with double modified heparins were not predictable from IC50 values with corresponding singly modified heparins. Binding assays and immunohistochemistry revealed that individual antibodies recognize distinct epitopes and that these are not single linear sequences but families of structurally similar motifs in which subtle variations in sulfation and conformation modify the affinity of interaction. Modeling of the antibodies demonstrates that they possess highly basic CDR3 and surrounding surfaces, presenting a number of possible orientations for HS binding. Unexpectedly, there are significant differences between the existence of epitopes in tissue sections and observed in vitro in dot blotted tissue extracts, demonstrating that in vitro specificity does not necessarily correlate with specificity in situ/vivo. The epitopes are therefore more complex than previously considered. Overall, these data have significance for structure-activity relationships of HS, because the model of one antibody recognizing multiple HS structures and the influence of other in situ HS-binding proteins on epitope availability are likely to reflect the selectivity of many HS-protein interactions in vivo.

ScFv antibody-induced translocation of cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan to endocytic vesicles: evidence for heparan sulfate epitope specificity and role of both syndecan and glypican

Cellular uptake of several viruses and polybasic macromolecules requires the expression of cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) through as yet ill defined mechanisms. We unexpectedly found that among several cell-surface-binding single chain variable fragment (scFv) anti-HS antibody (alphaHS) clones, only one, AO4B08, efficiently translocated macromolecular cargo to intracellular vesicles through induction of HSPG endocytosis. Interestingly, AO4B08-induced PG internalization was strictly dependent on HS 2-O-sulfation and appeared independent of intact N-sulfation. AO4B08 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-Tat, i.e. a well known cell-penetrating peptide, were shown to compete for the internalizing PG population. To obtain a more detailed characterization of this pathway, we have developed a procedure for the isolation of endocytic vesicles by conjugating AO4B08 with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. [(35)S]sulfate-labeled HSPG was found to accumulate in isolated, AO4B08-containing vesicles, providing the first biochemical evidence for intact HSPG co-internalization with its ligand. Further analysis revealed the existence of both syndecan, i.e. a transmembrane HSPG, and glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol-anchored glypican in purified vesicles. Importantly, internalized syndecan and glypican were found to co-localize in AO4B08-containing vesicles. Our data establish HSPGs as true internalizing receptors of macromolecular cargo and indicate that the sorting of cell-surface HSPG to endocytic vesicles is determined by a specific HS epitope that can be carried by both syndecan and glypican core protein.

Deficiency of endothelial heparan sulfates attenuates allergic airway inflammation

The effect of targeted inactivation of the gene encoding N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase-1 (Ndst1), a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate (HS) chains, on the inflammatory response associated with allergic inflammation in a murine model of OVA-induced acute airway inflammation was investigated. OVA-exposed Ndst1(f/f)TekCre(+) (mutant) mice deficient in endothelial and leukocyte Ndst1 demonstrated significantly decreased allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation characterized by a significant reduction in airway recruitment of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes), diminished IL-5, IL-2, TGF-beta1, and eotaxin levels, as well as decreased expression of TGF-beta1 and the angiogenic protein FIZZ1 (found in inflammatory zone 1) in lung tissue compared with OVA-exposed Ndst1(f/f)TekCre(-) wild-type littermates. Furthermore, murine eosinophils demonstrated significantly decreased rolling on lung endothelial cells (ECs) from mutant mice compared with wild-type ECs under conditions of flow in vitro. Treatment of wild-type ECs, but not eosinophils, with anti-HS Abs significantly inhibited eosinophil rolling, mimicking that observed with Ndst1-deficient ECs. In vivo, trafficking of circulating leukocytes in lung microvessels of allergen-challenged Ndst1-deficient mice was significantly lower than that observed in corresponding WT littermates. Endothelial-expressed HS plays an important role in allergic airway inflammation through the regulation of recruitment of inflammatory cells to the airways by mediating interaction of leukocytes with the vascular endothelium. Furthermore, HS may also participate by sequestering and modulating the activity of allergic asthma-relevant mediators such as IL-5, IL-2, and TGF-beta1.

Dermatan sulfate domains defined by the novel antibody GD3A12, in normal tissues and ovarian adenocarcinomas

Dermatan sulfate (DS) expression in normal tissue and ovarian cancer was investigated using the novel, phage display-derived antibody GD3A12 that was selected against embryonic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Antibody GD3A12 was especially reactive with DS rich in IdoA-GalNAc4S disaccharide units. IdoA residues are important for antibody recognition as DS polymers with low numbers of IdoA residues were less reactive, and expression of the DS epimerase in ovarian carcinoma cells was associated with expression of the GD3A12 epitope. Moreover, staining of antibody GD3A12 was abolished by chondroitinase-B lyase digestion. Expression of DS domains defined by antibody GD3A12 was confined to connective tissue of most organs examined and presented as a typical fibrillar-type of staining. Differential expression of the DS epitopes recognized by antibodies GD3A12 and LKN1 (4/2,4 di-O-sulfated DS) was best seen in thymus and spleen, indicating differential expression of various DS domains in these organs. In ovarian carcinomas strong DS expression was found in the stromal parts, and occasionally on tumor cells. Partial co-localization in ovarian carcinomas was observed with decorin, versican and type I collagen suggesting a uniform distribution of this specific DS epitope. This unique anti-DS antibody may be instrumental to investigate the function, expression, and localization of specific DS domains in health and disease.

Functional UDP-xylose transport across the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi membrane in a Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant defective in UDP-xylose Synthase

In mammals, xylose is found as the first sugar residue of the tetrasaccharide GlcAbeta1-3Galbeta1-3Galbeta1-4Xylbeta1-O-Ser, initiating the formation of the glycosaminoglycans heparin/heparan sulfate and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate. It is also found in the trisaccharide Xylalpha1-3Xylalpha1-3Glcbeta1-O-Ser on epidermal growth factor repeats of proteins, such as Notch. UDP-xylose synthase (UXS), which catalyzes the formation of the UDP-xylose substrate for the different xylosyltransferases through decarboxylation of UDP-glucuronic acid, resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi lumen. Since xylosylation takes place in these organelles, no obvious requirement exists for membrane transport of UDP-xylose. However, UDP-xylose transport across isolated Golgi membranes has been documented, and we recently succeeded with the cloning of a human UDP-xylose transporter (SLC25B4). Here we provide new evidence for a functional role of UDP-xylose transport by characterization of a new Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant, designated pgsI-208, that lacks UXS activity. The mutant fails to initiate glycosaminoglycan synthesis and is not capable of xylosylating Notch. Complementation was achieved by expression of a cytoplasmic variant of UXS, which proves the existence of a functional Golgi UDP-xylose transporter. A approximately 200 fold increase of UDP-glucuronic acid occurred in pgsI-208 cells, demonstrating a lack of UDP-xylose-mediated control of the cytoplasmically localized UDP-glucose dehydrogenase in the mutant. The data presented in this study suggest the bidirectional transport of UDP-xylose across endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi membranes and its role in controlling homeostasis of UDP-glucuronic acid and UDP-xylose production.

Biological implications of glycosaminoglycan interactions with haemopoietic cytokines

Heparan sulphate (HS) glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are an integral part of the signalling complex of fibroblast derived growth factor (FGF) family members, HS being regarded as a coreceptor. FGFs are also retained in the tissues by binding to HS structures. Early studies on the contribution of the bone marrow stroma to haemopoiesis suggested that cytokines with a role in haemopoiesis were similarly retained in the stroma through interactions with HS. However, the functional outcomes of these cytokines binding HS were poorly understood. Here the GAG-binding properties of cytokines of the four alpha-helical bundle family and the biological consequences of such binding are reviewed. From this analysis it is apparent that although many of these cytokines do bind GAGs, GAG binding is not a consistent feature, nor is the site of GAG binding conserved among these cytokines. The biological outcome of GAG binding depends, in part, on the location of the GAG-binding site on the cytokine. In some cases GAG binding appears to block signalling, whereas in others signalling is likely to be facilitated by binding. It is postulated that the interactions of these cytokines with their receptor complexes evolved independently of GAG binding, with GAG binding being an additional feature for a subset of this cytokine family. Nevertheless, because GAG binding localizes cytokines to sites within tissues, these interactions are likely to be critically important for the biology of these cytokines.

The extracellular matrix of the spleen as a potential organizer of immune cell compartments

Until recently little information was available on the molecular details of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of secondary lymphoid tissues. There is now growing evidence that these ECMs are unique structures, combining characteristics of basement membranes and interstitial or fibrillar matrices, resulting in scaffolds that are strong and highly flexible and, in certain secondary lymphoid compartments, also forming conduit networks for rapid fluid transport. This review will address the structural characteristics of the ECM of the murine spleen and its potential role as an organizer of immune cell compartments, with reference to the lymph node where relevant.

Reactive and proliferative changes of splenic reticulum cells of rats investigated with special staining methods and immunohistochemistry

In the rat spleen, reactive and proliferative changes of the reticulum cells are rare events and seem to occur almost exclusively in the red pulp. The normal structure of the splenic reticulum cell and fiber lattice and examples of spontaneous and induced pathological alterations were investigated by immunohistochemistry (smooth muscle-actin, vimentin, S100 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and special stains for extracellular fibers (silver impregnation, azan). In response to congestion, systemic tumor growth or treatment with a hematotoxic compound, the scaffold cells increased either their contractile properties or their production of extracellular fibers. Primary focal hyperplasias of stromal cells which had developed without obvious cause were characterized by vanishing of sinuses, increased fiber content, increased expression of sm-actin or foci of lipomatosis. The borders of focal hyperplasias were indistinct and they did not infiltrate the white pulp compartments. Neoplasms of the stromal reticulum cells resembled soft tissue tumors in other organs. Specific tumor entities as described in other species have so far not been observed in the rat.

Plasmodium falciparum ookinetes require mosquito midgut chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans for cell invasion

Malaria transmission entails development of the Plasmodium parasite in its insect vector, the Anopheles mosquito. Parasite invasion of the mosquito midgut is the critical first step and involves adhesion to host epithelial cell ligands. Partial evidence suggests that midgut oligosaccharides are important ligands for parasite adhesion; however, the identity of these glycans remains unknown. We have identified a population of chondroitin glycosaminoglycans along the apical midgut microvilli of Anopheles gambiae and further demonstrated ookinete recognition of these glycans in vitro. By repressing the expression of the peptide-O-xylosyltransferase homolog of An. gambiae by means of RNA interference, we blocked glycosaminoglycan chain biosynthesis, diminished chondroitin sulfate levels in the adult midgut, and substantially inhibited parasite development. We provide evidence for the in vivo role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in Plasmodium falciparum invasion of the midgut and insight into the molecular mechanisms mediating parasite-mosquito interactions.

Antibody GD3G7 selected against embryonic glycosaminoglycans defines chondroitin sulfate-E domains highly up-regulated in ovarian cancer and involved in vascular endothelial growth factor binding

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is abundantly present in the tumor stroma, and tumor-specific CS modifications might be potential targets to influence tumor development. We applied the phage display technology to select antibodies that identify these tumor-specific CS modifications. Antibody GD3G7 was selected against embryonic glycosaminoglycans, and it reacted strongly with CS-E (rich in GlcA-GalNAc4S6S units). In ovarian adenocarcinomas, strong expression of this CS-E epitope was found in the extracellular matrix, and occasionally on tumor cells. No expression was found in normal ovary and cystadenomas. Differential expression was found in ovarian carcinoma cell lines, which correlated with the gene expression of the GalNAc4S-6st enzyme, involved in biosynthesis of CS-E. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-sensitive fenestrated (in normal tissues) and tumor blood vessels were both identified by antibody GD3G7, which might implicate a role for CS-E in VEGF biology. VEGF bound to CS-E and antibody GD3G7 could compete for binding of VEGF to CS-E. In conclusion, antibody GD3G7 identified rare CS-E-like structures that were strongly expressed in ovarian adenocarcinomas. This antibody might therefore be instrumental for identifying tumor-related CS alterations.

Characterization of anti-heparan sulfate phage display antibodies AO4B08 and HS4E4

Heparan sulfates (HS) are linear carbohydrate chains, covalently attached to proteins, that occur on essentially all cell surfaces and in extracellular matrices. HS chains show extensive structural heterogeneity and are functionally important during embryogenesis and in homeostasis due to their interactions with various proteins. Phage display antibodies have been developed to probe HS structures, assess the availability of protein-binding sites, and monitor structural changes during development and disease. Here we have characterized two such antibodies, AO4B08 and HS4E4, previously noted for partly differential tissue staining. AO4B08 recognized both HS and heparin, and was found to interact with an ubiquitouys, N-, 2-O-, and 6-O-sulfated saccharide motif, including an internal 2-O-sulfate group. HS4E4 turned out to preferentially recognize low-sulfated HS motifs containing iduronic acid, and N-sulfated as well as N-acetylated glucosamine residues. Contrary to AO4B08, HS4E4 did not bind highly O-sulfated structures such as found in heparin.

Phage Display‐Derived Human Antibodies Against Specific Glycosaminoglycan Epitopes

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are long unbranched polysaccharides, most of which are linked to a core protein to form proteoglycans. Depending on the nature of their backbone, one can discern galactosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate [CS] and dermatan sulfate [DS]) and glucosaminoglycans (heparan sulfate [HS], heparin, hyaluronic acid, and keratan sulfate). Modification of the backbone by sulfation, deacetylation, and epimerization results in unique sequences within GAG molecules, which are instrumental in the binding of a large number of proteins. Investigating the exact roles of GAGs has long been hampered by the lack of appropriate tools, but we have successfully implemented phage display technology to generate a large panel of antibodies against CS, DS, HS, and heparin epitopes. These antibodies provide unique and highly versatile tools to study the topography, structure, and function of specific GAG domains. In this chapter, we describe the selection, characterization, and application of antibodies against specific GAG epitopes.

3-O-sulfated oligosaccharide structures are recognized by anti-heparan sulfate antibody HS4C3

Antibodies against heparan sulfate (HS) are useful tools to study the structural diversity of HS. They demonstrate the large sequential variation within HS and show the distribution of HS oligosaccharide sequences within their natural environment. We analyzed the distribution and the structural characteristics of the oligosaccharide epitope recognized by anti-HS antibody HS4C3. Biosynthetic and synthetic heparin-related oligosaccharide libraries were used in affinity chromatography, immunoprecipitation, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify this epitope as a 3-O-sulfated motif with antithrombin binding capacity. The antibody binds weakly to any N-sulfated, 2-O- and 6-O-sulfated hexa- to octasaccharide fragment but strongly to the corresponding oligosaccharide when there is a 3-O-sulfated glucosamine residue present in the sequence. This difference was highlighted by affinity interaction and immunohistochemistry at salt concentrations from 500 mm. At physiological salt conditions the antibody strongly recognized basal lamina of epithelia and endothelia. At 500 mm salt conditions, when 3-O sulfation is required for binding, antibody recognition was more restricted and selective. Antibody HS4C3 bound similar tissue structures as antithrombin in rat kidney. Furthermore, antithrombin and antibody HS4C3 could compete with one another for binding to heparin. Antibody HS4C3 was also able to inhibit the anti-coagulant activities of heparin and Arixtra as demonstrated using the activated partial thromboplastin time clotting and the anti-factor Xa assays. In summary, antibody HS4C3 selectively detects 3-O-sulfated HS structures and interferes with the coagulation activities of heparin by association with the anti-thrombin binding pentasaccharide sequence.

Involvement of glycosaminoglycans in the attachment of pneumococci to nasopharyngeal epithelial cells

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major bacterial pathogen involved in the development of otitis media. The pathogenic mechanisms of this middle ear disease, including the bacterial adherence mechanisms to the mucosal epithelial cells of the host, are poorly understood. In this study, the role of glycosaminoglycans in the adhesion of pneumococci to mucosal epithelial cells is examined. Both nasopharyngeal epithelium from rats and an oral epithelial cell line were used for pneumococcal adherence experiments. Preincubation of pneumococci with heparin, heparan sulfate (HS) and to a lesser extent, chondroitin 4-sulfate (C-4S), was found to inhibit attachment of S. pneumoniae to oral epithelial cells, while dermatan sulfate and hyaluronate did not interfere with pneumococcal binding. Enzymatic removal of HS moieties by heparinase III from nasopharyngeal epithelial cells abolished the attachment of pneumococci to nasopharyngeal epithelium. This study demonstrates that heparin, HS and C-4S are involved in pneumococcal binding to mucosal epithelial cells. This knowledge may contribute to the development of a new prophylactic strategy for otitis media.

Detection of 2-O-sulfated iduronate and N-acetylglucosamine units in heparan sulfate by an antibody selected against acharan sulfate (IdoA2S-GlcNAc)n

The snail glycosaminoglycan acharan sulfate (AS) is structurally related to heparan sulfates (HS) and has a repeating disaccharide structure of alpha-d-N-acetylglucosaminyl-2-O-sulfo-alpha-l-iduronic acid (GlcNAc-IdoA2S) residues. Using the phage display technology, a unique antibody (MW3G3) was selected against AS with a V(H)3, DP 47, and a CDR3 amino acid sequence of QKKRPRF. Antibody MW3G3 did not react with desulfated, N-deacetylated or N-sulfated AS, indicating that reactivity depends on N-acetyl and 2-O-sulfate groups. Antibody MW3G3 also had a high preference for (modified) heparin oligosaccharides containing N-acetylated glucosamine and 2-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues. In tissues, antibody MW3G3 identified a HS oligosaccharide epitope containing N-acetylated glucosamine and 2-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues as enzymatic N-deacetylation of HS in situ prevented staining, and 2-O-sulfotransferase-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells were not reactive. An immunohistochemical survey using various rat organs revealed a distinct distribution of the MW3G3 epitope, which was primarily present in the basal laminae of most (but not all) blood vessels and of some epithelia, including human skin. No staining was observed in the glycosaminoglycan-rich tumor matrix of metastatic melanoma. In conclusion, we have selected an antibody that identifies HS oligosaccharides containing N-acetylated glucosamine and 2-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues. This antibody may be instrumental in identifying structural alterations in HS in health and disease.