Photobiomodulation inhibits the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans after spinal cord injury via the Sox9 pathway

Both glial cells and glia scar greatly affect the development of spinal cord injury and have become hot spots in research on spinal cord injury treatment.The cellular deposition of dense extracellular matrix proteins such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans inside and around the glial scar is known to affect axonal growth and be a major obstacle to autogenous repair.These proteins are thus candidate targets for spinal cord injury therapy.Our previous studies demonstrated that 810 nm photo biomodulation inhibited the formation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans after spinal cord injury and greatly improved motor function in model animals.However,the specific mechanism and potential targets involved remain to be clarified.In this study,to investigate the therapeutic effect of photo biomodulation,we established a mouse model of spinal cord injury by T9 clamping and irradiated the injury site at a power density of 50 mW/cm~2 for 50 minutes once a day for 7 consecutive days.We found that photobiomodulation greatly restored motor function in mice and down regulated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expression in the injured spinal cord.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that photobiomodulation inhibited the expression of proteoglycan-related genes induced by spinal cord injury,and versican,a type of proteoglycan,was one of the most markedly changed molecules.Immunofluorescence staining showed that after spinal cord injury,versican was present in astrocytes in spinal cord tissue.The expression of versican in primary astrocytes cultured in vitro increased after inflammation induction,whereas photobiomodulation inhibited the expression of ve rsican.Furthermore,we found that the increased levels of p-Smad3,p-P38 and p-Erk in inflammatory astrocytes were reduced after photobiomodulation treatment and after delivery of inhibitors including FR 180204,(E)-SIS3,and SB 202190.This suggests that Sma d 3/Sox9 and MAP K/Sox9 pathways may be involved in the effects of photobiomodulation.In summary,our findings show that photobiomodulation modulates the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans,and versican is one of the key target molecules of photo biomodulation.MAPK/Sox9 and Smad3/Sox9 pathways may play a role in the effects of photo biomodulation on chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan accumulation after spinal cord injury.

Galectin-14 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumor growth via enhancing heparan sulfate proteoglycan modification

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly heterogeneous malignancy and lacks effective treatment.Bulk-sequencing of different gene transcripts by comparing HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues provides some clues for investigating the mechanisms or identifying potential targets for tumor progression.However,genes that are exclusively expressed in a subpopulation of HCC may not be enriched or detected through such a screening.In the current study,we performed a single cell-clone-based screening and identified galectin-14 as an essential molecule in the regulation of tumor growth.The aberrant expression of galectin-14 was significantly associated with a poor overall survival of liver cancer patients with database analysis.Knocking down galectin-14 inhibited the proliferation of tumor growth,whereas overexpressing galectin-14 promoted tumor growth in vivo.Non-targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that knocking down galectin-14 decreased glycometabolism;specifically that glycoside synthesis was significantly changed.Further study found that galectin-14 promoted the expression of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans(HSPGs)that functioned as co-receptors,thereby increasing the responsiveness of HCC cells to growth factors,such as epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha.In conclusion,the current study identifies a novel HCC-specific molecule galectin-14,which increases the expression of cell surface HSPGs and the uptake of growth factors to promote HCC cell proliferation.

EXTRACTION AND ISOLATION OF PROTEOGLYCANS FROM RAT BRAIN

This paper reports a comparative study of the extraction rate of rat brain proteoglycans (PGs) by three different methods, with chromatography, papain digestion and electrophoretic technique. The results showed: ① The extraction rate of brain PGs by 4mol/L guanidine HCl (GuHCl)was higher than that by phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) In any method, however the protein/PGs ratio in the GuHCl-extract was lower than that in the PBS-extract. ② PBS mainly extracted the soluble chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), whereas the 4mol/L GuHCl could extracted both soluble CSPG and insoluble heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG). ③ After delipidation of brain by organic reagents, the extraction rate of delipidized brain PGs either by the PBS or by the 4mol/L GuHCl decreased obviously. ④ By direct extraction with PBS, GuHCl seguentially, few amount of PGs in the residue from brain was found.

Proteoglycans: Road Signs for Neurite Outgrowth

Proteoglycans in the central nervous system play integral roles as ＂traffic signals＂ for the direction of neurite outgrowth. This attribute of proteoglycans is a major factor in regeneration of the injured central nervous system. In this review, the structures of proteoglycans and the evidence suggesting their involvement in the response following spinal cord injury are presented. The review further describes the methods routinely used to determine the effect proteoglycans have on neurite outgrowth. The effects of proteoglycans on neurite outgrowth are not completely understood as there is disagreement on what component of the molecule is interacting with growing neurites and this ambiguity is chronicled in an historical context. Finally, the most recent findings suggesting possible receptors, interactions, and sulfation patterns that may be important in eliciting the effect of proteoglycans on neurite outgrowth are discussed. A greater understanding of the proteoglycan-neurite interaction is necessary for successfully promoting regeneration in the iniured central nervous system.

Proteoglycans in liver cancer

Proteoglycans are a group of molecules that contain at least one glycosaminoglycan chain,such as a heparan,dermatan,chondroitin,or keratan sulfate,covalently attached to the protein core.These molecules arecategorized based on their structure,localization,and function,and can be found in the extracellular matrix,on the cell surface,and in the cytoplasm.Cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans,such as syndecans,are the primary type present in healthy liver tissue.However,deterioration of the liver results in overproduction of other proteoglycan types.The purpose of this article is to provide a current summary of the most relevant data implicating proteoglycans in the development and progression of human and experimental liver cancer.A review of our work and other studies in the literature indicate that deterioration of liver function is accompanied by an increase in the amount of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans.The alteration of proteoglycan composition interferes with the physiologic function of the liver on several levels.This article details and discusses the roles of syndecan-1,glypicans,agrin,perlecan,collagen XVIII/endostatin,endocan,serglycin,decorin,biglycan,asporin,fibromodulin,lumican,and versican in liver function.Specifically,glypicans,agrin,and versican play significant roles in the development of liver cancer.Conversely,the presence of decorin could potentially provide protective effects.

Inhibition and enhancement of neural regeneration by chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans

The current dogma in neural regeneration research implies that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans（CSPGs） inhibit plasticity and regeneration in the adult central nervous system（CNS）. We argue that the role of the CSPGs can be reversed from inhibition to activation by developmentally expressed CSPG-binding factors. Heparin-binding growth-associated molecule（HB-GAM; also designated as pleiotrophin） has been studied as a candidate molecule that might modulate the role of CSPG matrices in plasticity and regeneration. Studies in vitro show that in the presence of soluble HB-GAM chondroitin sulfate（CS） chains of CSPGs display an enhancing effect on neurite outgrowth. Based on the in vitro studies, we suggest a model according to which the HB-GAM/CS complex binds to the neuron surface receptor glypican-2, which induces neurite growth. Furthermore, HB-GAM masks the CS binding sites of the neurite outgrowth inhibiting receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma（PTPσ）, which may contribute to the HB-GAM-induced regenerative effect. In vivo studies using two-photon imaging after local HB-GAM injection into prick-injury of the cerebral cortex reveal regeneration of dendrites that has not been previously demonstrated after injuries of the mammalian nervous system. In the spinal cord, two-photon imaging displays HB-GAM-induced axonal regeneration. Studies on the HB-GAM/CS mechanism in vitro and in vivo are expected to pave the way for drug development for injuries of brain and spinal cord.

In vitro and in vivo protective effects of proteoglycan isolated from mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum on carbon tetrachlorideinduced liver injury

AIM： To investigate the possible mechanism of the protective effects of a bioactive fraction, Ganoderma lucidum proteoglycan （GLPG）isolated from Ganoderma luddum mycelia, against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury. METHODS： A liver injury model was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTY assay. The activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were determined with an automatic multifunction-biochemical analyzer and the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and TNF-α were determined following the instructions of SOD kit and TNF radioimmunoassay kit. Uver sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin （H＆E） for histological evaluation and examined under light microscope. RESULTS： We found that GLPG can alleviate the L-02 liver cells injury induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCh） through the measurements of ALT and AST activities and the administration of GLPG to L-02 cells did not display any toxicity. Furthermore, histological analysis of mice liver injury induced by CCh with or without GLPG pretreatment indicated that GLPG can significantly suppress the toxicity induced by CCh in mice liver. We also found that GLPG reduced TNF-α level induced by CCh in the plasma of mice, whereas increased SOD activity in the rat serum. CONCLUSION： GLPG has hepatic protective activity against CCl4 induced injury both in vitro and in vivo. The possible antihepatotoxic mechanisms may be related to the suppression of TNF-α level and the free radical scavenging activity.

M1-type microglia can induce astrocytes to deposit chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan after spinal cord injury

After spinal cord injury(SCI),astrocytes gradually migrate to and surround the lesion,depositing chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix and forming astrocytic scar,which limits the spread of inflammation but hinders axon regeneration.Meanwhile,microglia gradually accumulate at the lesion border to form microglial scar and can polarize to generate a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype or an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype.However,the effect of microglia polarization on astrocytes is unclear.Here,we found that both microglia(CX3 CR1^(+))and astrocytes(GFAP^(+))gathered at the lesion border at 14 days post-injury(dpi).The microglia accumulated along the inner border of and in direct contact with the astrocytes.M1-type microglia(i NOS^(+)CX3 CR1^(+))were primarily observed at 3 and 7 dpi,while M2-type microglia(Arg1^(+)CX3 CR1^(+))were present at larger numbers at 7 and 14 dpi.Transforming growth factor-β1(TGFβ1)was highly expressed in M1 microglia in vitro,consistent with strong expression of TGFβ1 by microglia in vivo at 3 and 7 dpi,when they primarily exhibited an M1 phenotype.Furthermore,conditioned media from M1-type microglia induced astrocytes to secrete chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in vitro.This effect was eliminated by knocking down sex-determining region Y-box 9(SOX9)in astrocytes and could not be reversed by treatment with TGFβ1.Taken together,our results suggest that microglia undergo M1 polarization and express high levels of TGFβ1 at 3 and 7 dpi,and that M1-type microglia induce astrocytes to deposit chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan via the TGFβ1/SOX9 pathway.The study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Anhui Medical University,China(approval No.LLSC20160052)on March 1,2016.

Effect of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans on neuronal cell adhesion, spreading and neurite growth in culture

As one major component of extracellular matrix （ECM） in the central nervous system, chondroitin sul- fate proteoglycans （CSPGs） have long been known as inhibitors enriched in the glial scar that prevent axon regeneration after injury. Although many studies have shown that CSPGs inhibited neurite out- growth in vitro using different types of neurons, the mechanism by which CSPGs inhibit axonal growth remains poorly understood. Using cerebellar granule neuron （CGN） culture, in this study, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations of both immobilized and soluble CSPGs on neuronal growth, in- cluding cell adhesion, spreading and neurite growth. Neurite length decreased while CSPGs concentration arised, meanwhile, a decrease in cell density accompanied by an increase in cell aggregates formation was observed. Soluble CSPGs also showed an inhibition on neurite outgrowth, but it required a higher concen- tration to induce cell aggregates formation than coated CSPGs. We also found that growth cone size was significantly reduced on CSPGs and neuronal cell spreading was restrained by CSPGs, attributing to an inhibition on lamellipodial extension. The effect of CSPGs on neuron adhesion was further evidenced by interference reflection microscopy （IRM） which directly demonstrated that both CGNs and cerebral cortical neurons were more loosely adherent to a CSPG substrate. These data demonstrate that CSPGs have an effect on cell adhesion and spreading in addition to neurite outgrowth.

Proteoglycans and their functions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a highly malignant disease that has a poor prognosis.Its high lethality is mainly due to the lack of symptoms at early stages,which culminates in diagnosis at a late stage when the tumor has already metastasized.Unfortunately,the common cancer biomarkers have low sensitivity and specificity in esophageal cancer.Therefore,a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ESCC progression is needed to identify novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for intervention.The invasion of cancer cells into the surrounding tissue is a crucial step for metastasis.During metastasis,tumor cells can interact with extracellular components and secrete proteolytic enzymes to remodel the surrounding tumor microenvironment.Proteoglycans are one of the major components of extracellular matrix.They are involved in multiple processes of cancer cell invasion and metastasis by interacting with soluble bioactive molecules,surrounding matrix,cell surface receptors,and enzymes.Apart from having diverse functions in tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment,proteoglycans also have diagnostic and prognostic significance in cancer patients.However,the functional significance and underlying mechanisms of proteoglycans in ESCC are not well understood.This review summarizes the proteoglycans that have been studied in ESCC in order to provide a comprehensive view of the role of proteoglycans in the progression of this cancer type.A long term goal would be to exploit these molecules to provide new strategies for therapeutic intervention.

Role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan signaling in regulating neuroinflammation following spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury （SCI） elicits a robust inflammatory response that is a hallmark of the secondary injury mechanisms. Neuroinflammation is orchestrated initially by the response of resident astrocytes and microglia to injury, which subsequently facilitates the recruitment of peripheral immune cells into the SCI lesion （Orr and Gensel, 2018）. This inflammatory response contributes to cell death and tissue degeneration through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, free radicals and proteolytic enzymes. However, neuroinflammatory cells also play beneficial regulatory role in repair mechanisms after SCI by adopting a reparative and wound healing phenotype （Orr and Gensel, 2018; Tran et al., 2018）. Hence, understanding the underlying mechanisms by which immune cells are reg- ulated within the microenvironment of injury would aid in harnessing the reparative potential of inflammation following SCI.

Traffic lights for axon growth: proteoglycans and their neuronal receptors

Axon growth is a central event in the development and post-injury plasticity of the nervous system. Growing axons encounter a wide variety of environmental instructions. Much like traffic lights in controlling the migrating axons, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans （CSPGs） and heparan sulfate proteoglycans （HSPGs） often lead to ＂stop＂ and ＂go＂ growth responses in the axons, respectively. Recently, the LAR family and NgR family molecules were identified as neuronal receptors for CSPGs and HSPGs. These discoveries provided molecular tools for further study of mechanisms underlying axon growth regulation. More importantly, the identification of these proteoglycan receptors offered potential therapeutic targets for promoting post-injury axon regeneration.

CONSTRUCTING ADENO-ASSOCIATED VIRUS-TGFβ_3 AND COMPARING ITS BIOLOGICAL EFFECT ON PROTEOGLYCAN SYNTHESIS IN DEDIFFERENTIATED NUCLEUS PULPOUS CELLS WITH ADENOVIRUS-TGFβ_1

Objective To construct adeno-associated virus (AAV) expression system for transforming growth factor β3 (TGFβ3) and detect its biological effect on proteoglycan synthesis of the earlier and later dedifferentiated rabbit lumbar disc nucleus pulpous (NP) cells, which was compared with that of adenovirus (AV) expression system for TGFβ1. Methods TGFβ3 gene was obtained using PCR. Its upstream contained restriction enzyme site Kpn Ⅰ, and its downstream contained restriction enzyme site SalⅠ. Using the restriction enzyme sites of PCR product of TGFβ3 and the corresponding multiple cloning site (MCS) in plasmid AAV, TGFβ3 was subcloned into AAV. The recombinant plasmid AAV-TGFβ3 was transfected into H293 cells with LipofectamineTM 2000, and the expression of TGFβ3 gene was detected using immunofluorescent analysis. After AAV-TGFβ3 virus particle with infectious activity was packaged, TGFβ3 expression in NP cells was detected by immunoblotting, and its biological effect on proteoglycan synthesis was detected by antonopulos method and compared with that of AV-TGFβ1 in the earlier and later dedifferentiated NP cells. Results For the earlier dedifferentiated NP cells, AAV-TGFβ3 slowly and stably enhanced proteoglycan synthesis, but AV-TGFβ1 rapidly and transiently enhanced its synthesis. For the later dedifferentiated NP cells, AAV-TGFβ3 stably enhanced proteoglycan synthesis, but AV-TGFβ1 inhibited its synthesis. Conclusion AAV expression system can mediate TGFβ3 gene to be expressed stably, and AAV-TGFβ3 can enhance proteoglycan synthesis of the earlier and later dedifferentiated NP cells.

Increased expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans in rat hepatocellular carcinoma tissues

AIM:To investigate the expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans(CSPGs)in rat liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group(n=10) and HCC model group(n=20).Rats in the HCC model groups were intragastrically administrated with 0.2%(w/v)N-diethylnitrosamine(DEN)every 5 d for 16 wk,whereas 0.9%(w/v)normal saline was administered to rats in the control group.After 16 wk from the initiation of experiment,all rats were killed and livers were collected and fixed in 4%(w/v)paraformaldehyde.All tissues were embedded in paraffin and sectioned.Histological staining(hematoxylin and eosin and Toluidine blue)was performed to demonstrate the onset of HCC and the content of sulphated glycosaminoglycan(sGAG).Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the expression of chondroitin sulphate(CS)/dermatan sulphate(DS)-GAG,heparan sulphate(HS)-GAG,keratan sulphate(KS)-GAG in liver tissues.Furthermore,expression and distribution of CSPG family members,including aggrecan,versican,biglycan and decorin in liver tissues,were also immunohistochemically determined.RESULTS:After 16 wk administration of DEN,malignant nodules were observed on the surface of livers from the HCC model group,and their hepatic lobule structures appeared largely disrupted under microscope.Toluidine blue staining demonstrated that there was an significant increase in sGAG content in HCC tissues when compared with that in the normal liver tissues from the control group[0.37±0.05 integrated optical density per stained area(IOD/area)and 0.21± 0.01 IOD/area,P<0.05].Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that this increased sGAG in HCC tissues was induced by an elevated expression of CS/DS(0.28±0.02 IOD/area and 0.18±0.02 IOD/area,P< 0.05)and HS(0.30±0.03 IOD/area and 0.17±0.02 IOD/area,P<0.01)but not KS GAGs in HCC tissues.Further studies thereby were performed to investigate the expression and distribution of several CSPG components in HCC tissues,including aggrecan,versican,biglycan and decorin.Interestingly,there was a distinct distribution pattern for these CSPG components between HCC tissues and the normal tissues.Positive staining of aggrecan,biglycan and decorin was localized in hepatic membrane and/or pericellular matrix in normal liver tissues;however,their expression was mainly observed in the cytoplasm,cell membranes in hepatoma cells and/or pericellular matrix within HCC tissues.Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that there was a higher level of expression of aggrecan(0.43± 0.01 and 0.35±0.03,P<0.05),biglycan(0.32±0.01 and 0.25±0.01,P<0.001)and decorin(0.29±0.01 and 0.26±0.01,P<0.05)in HCC tissues compared with that in the normal liver tissues.Very weak versican positive staining was observed in hepatocytes near central vein in normal liver tissues;however there was an intensive versican distribution in fibrosis septa between the hepatoma nodules.Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that the positive rate of versican in hepatoma tissues from the HCC model group was much higher than that in the control group(33.61%and 21.28%,P <0.05).There was no positive staining in lumican and keratocan,two major KSPGs,in either normal or HCC liver tissues.CONCLUSION:CSPGs play important roles in the onset and progression of HCC,and may provide potential therapeutic targets and clinical biomarkers for this prevalent tumor in humans.

THE FURTHER STUDY ON BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF COLORECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA:THE EXTRACELLULAR PROTEOGLYCAN DEGRADED BY ARYLSULFATASE B

The fresh tissues were obtained from 64 colorectal adenocarcinoma (43 well-differentiated and moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 12 poorly- differentiated adenocarcinoma and 9 mutinous cell carcinoma including signet ring cell carcinoma) during surgical operation. The resected edge of each specimen was used for control group. The arylsulfatase B was studied by histochentical staining in different types of colorectal adenocarcinoma, among which 19 cases were investigated by electronhistochemical staining so as to observe the Ruthenium Red granules alteration which represented the extracellular proteoglycan changes and ultrastructure of cancer cells.The results showed that the mutinous cell carcinoma was of the most Intensive arylsulfatase B activity and has a lot of secretory granules with various electron densities in the cytoplasm. The Ruthenium Red granules close to the cancer cell disappeared, a part of remainders changed into the lowered electron density and indistinct shape. In contrast, the other types adenocarcinoma revealed less enzyme activity and a fewer secretory granules. The Ruthenium Red granules near the cancer nest showed that their electron density and size were identical with those of the control group. All of these mentioned above indicate that mucinouscell carcinoma may release hydrolase into pericancerous matrix to degrade the proteoglycans. In view of the network structure formed by proteoglycan in the connective tissue, network has ability to hinder the cancer cell spreading. Because the arylsulfatase B is able to degrade the dermatan sulfate proteoglycan which is component of proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of human colon. We consider that the arylsulfatase B may lead to destruction of the network barriers in the connective tissue in favour of cancer cell invasion. So the mucinous cell carcinoma is more malignant than those of other colorectal adenocarcinoma.

CONSTRUCTING AAV-TGFβ_1 AND COMPARISING ITS BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON PROTEOGLYCAN SYNTHESIS OF NUCLEUS PULPOUS CELLS WITH AV-TGFβ_1

Objective To construct adeno-associated virus express system for TGFβ1 (AAV-TGFβ1) and compare its biological effects on proteoglycan synthesis of the rabbit lumbar disc nucleus pulpous (NP) cells with adenovirus (Ad) express system for TGFβ1 (AV-TGFβ1). Methods TGFβ1 gene was obtained by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The upstream of TGFβ1 contained restriction enzyme site of EcoR Ⅰ, and the restriction enzyme site of Sal Ⅰ was at the downstream of TGFβ1. Using the multiple cloning sites (MCS) in plasmid AAV and the corresponding contained restriction enzyme site in PCR product of TGFβ1, TGFβ1 gene was subcloned into AAV. The recombinant plasmid AAV-TGFβ1 was detected by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. Then, AAV-TGFβ1 virus was packaged and TGFβ1 expression mediated by AAV was detected by immunofluence analysis in H293 cells. AAV transfection rate to NP cells was evaluated with AAV-PEGF. After NP cells were respectively transfected by AAV-TGFβ1 virus and AV-TGFβ1 virus, proteoglycan synthesis was detected and compared by using Antonopulos methods. Results DNA sequencing revealed that the PCR-amplified TGFβ1 gene was consistent with NCBI Gene Bank. The recombinant plasmid was proved to be constructed successfully by restriction enzyme digestion. AAV could be transfected into NP cells and mediate an efficient expression of TGFβ1 protein. AV-TGFβ1 virus could quickly enhance the proteoglycan synthesis of the NP cells, but its biological effect was transient. AAV-TGFβ1 virus could enhance stably proteoglycan synthesis. Conclusion AAV-TGFβ1 virus was successful constructed and enhanced stably proteoglycan synthesis of NP cells.

In Silico Study on Sulfated and Non-Sulfated Carbohydrate Chains from Proteoglycans in Cnidaria and Their Interaction with Collagen

Proteoglycans and collagen molecules are interacting with each other thereby forming various connective tissues. The sulfation pattern of proteoglycans differs depending on the kind of tissue and/or the degree of maturation. Tissues from Cnidaria are suitable examples for exploration of the effects in relation to the presence and the absence of sulfate groups, when studying characteristic fragments of the long proteoglycan carbohydrate chains in silico. It has been described that a non-sulfated chondroitin appears as a scaffold in early morphogenesis of all nematocyst types in Hydra. On the other hand, sulfated glucosaminoglycans play an important role in various developmental processes of Cnidaria. In order to understand this biological phenomenon on a sub-molecular level we have analysed the structures of sulfated and non-sulfated proteoglycan carbohydrate chains as well as the structure of diverse collagen molecules with computational methods including quantum chemical calculations. The strong interactions between the sulfate groups of the carbohydrates moieties in proteoglycans and positively charged regions of collagen are essential in stabilizing various Cnidaria tissues but could hinder the nematocyst formation and its proper function. The results of our quantum chemical calculations show that the sulfation pattern has a significant effect on the conformation of chondroitin structures under study.

BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON PROTEOGLYCAN CONTENT IN AFFECTED CARTILAGE, HYALURONIC ACID LEVELS IN SERUM AND SYNOVIAL FLUID OF PERTHES DISEASE

To determine the biochemical changes of affected hip in Perthes disease and control cartilage as a first step in investigating the role of cartilage alterations in the pathogenesis of the disease, pathological cartilage was collected from 20 patients suffered from Perthes disease with stagesⅡ ~ Ⅲ (classified according to Caterall). Using identical techniques, appereutly healthy cartilage ofthe same site was obtained from 10 cadavers whose age matched with the former groups. The threecomponents of cartilage proteoglycans (PG): hexosamine, hexuronic acid, sulfate radical, level ofhyaluronic acid (HA) in synovial fluid and serum were detected by radioimmunoassay. The correlation among HA level in synovial fluid, serum and PG content in cartilage were analyzed. The presentstudies showed that ①Compared with the normal autopsy specimens, Perthes disease specimens had asignificantly decreased PG content (P < 0. 01). ②Children sufrered from Perthes' disease had amuch higher level of HA in serum than the controls (P < 0. 01). HA level in serum lead a inversecorrelation with that in synovial fluid (r =- 0. 663,P< 0. 05).③There was a positive correlationbetween HA level in synovial rluid and PG toment (r = 0. 682,P < 0. 05). PG content was negativelycorrelated with HA level in serum of perthes disease (r=- 0. 632,P< 0. 05). 'The results suggestthat ① Children arfected with Perthes disase lead a markedly dysfunctional hip joint. ② To someextent serum level of HA reflect biocbemical changes in cartilage in Perthes disease. ③ Disturbanceof arftcted joint function accelerate the progress or ANFH, which might in turn cause further damage. Hence a cycle of deterioration would be perpetuated.

Methylprednisolone Inhibits the Expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans in Reactivated Astrocytes

创伤后的神经胶质增生导致硫酸软骨素蛋白聚糖(CSPG)的显著表达,从而抑制轴突生长和再生。甲基强地松龙(MP),一种合成的糖皮质激素,在急性脊髓损伤(SCI)的治疗中有神经保护作用和抗炎效应。但是,MP对于CSPG在活性胶质细胞中的表达的作用尚不清楚。本文用a-氨基-3-羟基-5-甲基-4-异恶唑丙酸酯(AM-PA)诱导星形胶质细胞再活化,用环噻嗪模拟SCI的兴奋性中毒刺激。AMPA治疗后,星形胶质细胞再活化的标志物-胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)、CSPG神经聚糖和磷酸盐的表达都显著上调。AMPA治疗星形胶质细胞的条件培养液强烈抑制大鼠背根神经节中神经元的轴突生长,但这种作用能被MP的预处理所逆转。此外,MP下调成年SCI大鼠中GFAP和CSPG的表达,对抗RU486的糖皮质激素受体(GR)和GR si RNA能逆转MP对GFAP和神经聚糖表达的抑制作用。这些结果提示,MP能在兴奋性中毒损伤后通过GR介导的星形胶质细胞再活化下调和GSPG表达抑制来改善神经修复,促进轴突生长。

The contribution of proteoglycans to heterogeneity and temozolomide resistance of glioblastoma cells

Aim:Heterogeneity of glioblastoma(GB)cells significantly contributes to tumor resistance against temozolomide(TMZ)and the development of disease relapse.Multiple molecular mechanisms are involved in this process,yet the contribution of proteoglycans(PGs)remains unknown.This study aimed to investigate the potential involvement of PGs(both at core proteins and polysaccharide chains)in the heterogeneity and TMZ resistance of GB cells.Methods:Seven human GB cell lines were characterized for TMZ sensitivity,cell phenotypic traits,gene expression for glucocorticoid receptor(GR,NR3C1),PG core proteins-and heparan sulfate(HS)biosynthesis-related genes and content of their chondroitin sulfate(CS)and HS chains.Results:Although the studied cell lines have similar proliferation rates,they significantly differ in their migration activity,clonogenicity,and TMZ resistance(IC508.51-369.59µM in the line of U343,LN215,HS683,U87,LN71,LN405,LN18),creating a specific phenotype for each cell line.Some PGs(NG2/CSPG4,CSPG5,and versican)contributed to the molecular heterogeneity of these cells being cell line-specifically expressed in all cell lines,which also differed in terms of the CS/HS content.Transcriptional activity of the HS metabolic system was low in these GB cell lines,expressing mainly EXT1/2 and NDST1/2,while expression levels of sulfotransferases and SULF2 were cell line-specific.TMZ resistance of these cells was correlated with the expression of stem-cell marker CD44(+3.5-fold,r=0.73)and GR(-3-fold,r=-0.81).TMZ treatment of the resistant(LN405)and sensitive(LN215)cells resulted in complex changes in cell migration as well as NG2/CSPG4 expression and CS/HS content.Conclusion:Differential expression of PGs and CS/HS content contribute to the heterogeneity of GB cells,and CD44 and NR3C1 might be informative biomarkers for TMZ resistance.