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.

Heparanase and hepatocellular carcinoma:Promoter or inhibitor?

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) consist of a core protein and several heparan sulphate (HS) side chains covalently linked. HS also binds a great deal of growth factors, chemokines, cytokines and enzymes to the extracellular matrix and cell surface. Heparanase can specially cleave HS side chains from HSPGs. There are a lot of conflicting reports about the role of heparanase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Heparanase is involved in hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis C virus infection, the activation of signal pathways, metastasis and apoptosis of HCC. Heparanase is synthesized as an inactive precursor within late endosomes and lysosomes. Then heparanase undergoes proteolytic cleavage to form an active enzyme in lysosomes. Active heparanase translocates to the nucleus, cell surface or extracellular matrix. Different locations of heparanase may exert different activities on tumor progression. Furthermore, enzymatic activities and non-enzymatic activities of heparanase may play different roles during HCC development. The expression level of heparanase may also contribute to the discrepant effects of heparanase. Growth promoting as well as growth inhibiting sequences are contained within the tumor cell surface heparan sulfate. Degrading different HSPGs by heparanase may play different roles in HCC. Systemic studies examining the processing, expression, localization and function of heparanase should shed a light on the role of heparanase in HCC.

Role of duck plague virus glycoprotein C in viral adsorption:Absence of specific interactions with cell surface heparan sulfate

Many mammalian herpes viruses utilize heparan sulfate （HS） moieties present on cell surface proteoglycans as receptors for cell entry, and this process also requires viral glycoprotein C （gC） homologues. However, our understanding of the role of gC in facilitating attachment of other alpha-herpes viruses such as the duck plague virus （DPV） remains preliminary. To study the role of gC during DPV infection, we used a gC-deleted mutant virus （DPV-AgC-EGFP）. Examination of the viral copy number by real-time PCR, as well as time course studies of viral adsorption and proliferation revealed that gC was involved in the viral binding to the cell surface. The affinity of viral glycoproteins （gB-DPV, gC-DPV, and gE-DPV） to HS was assessed using a prokaryotic expression system and HJTrapTM HeparJn HP column chromatography. In addition, to confirm that gC played a role in the interaction between DPV and HS, viruses were treated with the HS analogue heparin and host cells were treated with its inhibitors heparinase prior to exposure to DPV-△gC-EGFP or wild-type strain Chinese virulent duck plague virus （DPV-CHv）. The effects of heparin and heparinase on virus infectivity demonstrated that function of gC on Viral adsorption is independent of interactions between gC and heparin sulfate on cell surface. All in all, this study demonstrated that the gC of DPV can mediate viral adsorption in an HS-independent manner, which distinguish it from the gC of some other alpha-herpes viruses. Future studies will be required to identify the receptors involved in gC protein binding to cells. This work provides us a foundation for further studies of examining the roles of gC in the adsorption during duck plague virus infection.

Collagen/heparan sulfate porous scaffolds loaded with neural stem cells improve neurological function in a rat model of traumatic brain injury

One reason for the poor therapeutic effects of stem cell transplantation in traumatic brain injury is that exogenous neural stem cells cannot effectively migrate to the local injury site,resulting in poor adhesion and proliferation of neural stem cells at the injured area.To enhance the targeted delivery of exogenous stem cells to the injury site,cell therapy combined with neural tissue engineering technology is expected to become a new strategy for treating traumatic brain injury.Collagen/heparan sulfate porous scaffolds,prepared using a freeze-drying method,have stable physical and chemical properties.These scaffolds also have good cell biocompatibility because of their high porosity,which is suitable for the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells.In the present study,collagen/heparan sulfate porous scaffolds loaded with neural stem cells were used to treat a rat model of traumatic brain injury,which was established using the controlled cortical impact method.At 2 months after the implantation of collagen/heparan sulfate porous scaffolds loaded with neural stem cells,there was significantly improved regeneration of neurons,nerve fibers,synapses,and myelin sheaths in the injured brain tissue.Furthermore,brain edema and cell apoptosis were significantly reduced,and rat motor and cognitive functions were markedly recovered.These findings suggest that the novel collagen/heparan sulfate porous scaffold loaded with neural stem cells can improve neurological function in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force,China(approval No.2017-0007.2)on February 10,2019.

The Importance of Heparan Sulfate in Herpesvirus Infection

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is one of many pathogens that use the cell surface glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate as a receptor. Heparan sulfate is highly expressed on the surface and extracellular matrix of virtually all cell types making it an ideal receptor. Heparan sulfate interacts with HSV-1 envelope glycoproteins gB and gC during the initial attachment step during HSV-1 entry. In addition,a modified form of heparan sulfate,known as 3-O-sulfated heparan sulfate,interacts with HSV-1 gD to induce fusion between the viral envelope and host cell membrane. The 3-O-sulfation of heparan sulfate is a rare modification which occurs during the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate that is carried out by a family of enzymes known as 3-O-sulfotransferases. Due to its involvement in multiple steps of the infection process,heparan sulfate has been a prime target for the development of agents to inhibit HSV entry. Understanding how heparan sulfate functions during HSV-1 infection may not only be critical for inhibiting infection by this virus,but it may also be crucial in the fight against many other pathogens as well.

How does Cellular Heparan Sulfate Function in Viral Pathogenicity?

Heparan sulfate （HS） is ubiquitously expressed on the surfaces and in the extracellular matrix of virtually all cell types, making it an ideal receptor for viral infection. Compared with wild‐type viruses, cell culture‐adapted laboratory strains exhibit more efficient binding to cellular HS receptors. HS‐binding viruses are typically cleared faster from the circulation and cause lower viremia than their non‐HS‐binding counterparts, suggesting that the HS‐binding phenotype is a tissue culture adaptation that lowers virus fitness in vivo. However, when inoculated intracranially, efficient cell attachment through HS binding can contribute to viral neurovirulence. The primary aim of this review is to discuss the roles of HS binding in viral pathogenicity, including peripheral virulence and neurovirulence. Understanding how heparan sulfate functions during virus infection in vivo may prove critical for elucidating the molecular mechanism of viral pathogenesis, and may contribute to the development of therapeutics targeting HS.

Effects of Ligustrazine on Expression of Bone Marrow Heparan Sulfates in Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation Mice

To explore the effects of ligustrazine on bone marrow heparan sulfates (HS) expression in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) mice, the syngeneic BMT mice were orally given 2 mg ligustrazine twice a day. On the 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th day after BMT, peripheral blood cells and bone marrow nuclear cells (BMNC) were counted, and the expression levels of HS in bone marrow and on the stromal cell surfaces were detected by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry assay respectively. In ligustrazine-treated group, the white blood cells (WBC) and BMNC on the 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th day and platelets (PLT) on the 7th, 10th day were all significantly more than those in control group (P<0.05). The bone marrow HS expression levels in ligustrazine-treated group were higher than those in control group (P<0.05) on the 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th day. However, the HS expression levels on the stromal cell surfaces showed no significant difference between the two groups on the 18th day (P>0.05). It was concluded that ligustrazine could up-regulate HS expression in bone marrow, which might be one of the mechanisms contributing to ligustrazine promoting hematopoietic reconstitution after BMT.

Effects of Platelet Factor 4 on Expression of Bone Marrow Heparan Sulfate in Syngenic Bone Marrow Transplantation Mice

To explore the effects of platelet factor 4(PF4) on hematopoietic reconstitution and its mechanism in syngenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The syngenic B MT mice models were established. 20 and 26 h before irradiation, the mice were injected 20 μg/kg PF4 or PBS twice into abdominal cavity, then the donor bone marrow nuclear cells (BMNC) were transplanted. On the 7th day, spleen clone forming units (CFU S) were counted. On the 7th, 14th and 21st day after BMT, the BMNC and megakaryoryocytes in bone marrow tissue were counted and the percentage of hematopoietic tissue and expression level of heparan sulfate in bone marrow tissue were assessed. In PF4 treated groups, the CFU S counts on the 7th day were higher than those in BMT groups after BMT. The BMNC and megakaryoryocyte counts and the percentage of hematopoietic tissue and heparan sulfate expression level were higher than those in BMT group on the 7th, 14th and 21st day after BMT ( P <0.01 or P <0.05). PF4 could accelerate hematopoietic reconstitution of syngenic bone marrow transplantation. The promotion of the heparan sulfate expression in bone marrow may be one of mechanisms of PF4.

Identification and Characterization of Heparan Sulphate Binding Proteins of <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>

A large number of microbial pathogens bind to heparan sulphate on eukaryotic cell surfaces. Heparan Sulphate Binding Proteins (HSBPs) from Entamoeba histolytica culture lysates were obtained by sequential ammonium sulphate precipitation and Protein purify. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting experiments indicated the presence of two major extracellular proteins in E. histolytica (51.2 kDa and 61.0 kDa). Characterization of HSBPs by 2D Gel electrophoresis of 40% (NH4)2SO4 precipitated lysate of E. histolytica revealed that the isoelectric point of 51.2 kDa HSBP was at pH3.0. The protein of 61.0 kDa HSBP showed three spots in 40% (NH4)2SO4 lysate which had isoelectric point between pH 4.0 - 7.0. While in 80% (NH4)2SO4 precipitated lysate, 51.2 kDa HSBP showed only one spot which had isoelectric point at pH 3. However, 61.0 kDa HSBP revealed 2 spots which had isoelectric point between pH 4 and 5. The result showed that this parasite has proteins which interact with heparan sulphate whose molecular formula is C14H23NO21S-23. These proteins may have a role in binding of parasite to heparan sulphate on host cells. Further characterization by MALDI-TOF analysis of HSBPs from E. histolytica demonstrated HSBPs to be novel protein in this parasite which has been isolated, purified and characterized first time by our group in the present study.

Enzymatic remodeling of heparan sulfate:a therapeutic strategy for systemic and localized amyloidoses?

In 1854,Rudolf Virchow introduced the term＂amyloid＂to indicate white waxy deposits that stained positive for iodine and that were found in many organs of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.He observed that these deposits stained pale blue after treatment with iodine and became dark blue or black after subsequent addition of sulfuric acid,in a similar manner to that of cellulose or carbohydrate.

A tumor-associated heparan sulfate-related glycosaminoglycan promotes the generation of functional regulatory T cells

Functional Tregs play a key role in tumor development and progression,representing a major barrier to anticancer immunity.The mechanisms by which Tregs are generated in cancer and the influence of the tumor microenvironment on these processes remain incompletely understood.Herein,by using NMR,chemoenzymatic structural assays and a plethora of in vitro and in vivo functional analyses,we demonstrate that the tumoral carbohydrate A10(Ca10),a cell-surface carbohydrate derived from Ehrlich’s tumor(ET)cells,is a heparan sulfate-related proteoglycan that enhances glycolysis and promotes the development of tolerogenic features in human DCs.Ca10-stimulated human DCs generate highly suppressive Tregs by mechanisms partially dependent on metabolic reprogramming,PD-L1,IL-10,and IDO.Ca10 also reprograms the differentiation of human monocytes into DCs with tolerogenic features.In solid ET-bearing mice,we found positive correlations between Ca10 serum levels,tumor size and splenic Treg numbers.Administration of isolated Ca10 also increases the proportion of splenic Tregs in tumor-free mice.Remarkably,we provide evidence supporting the presence of a circulating human Ca10 counterpart(Ca10H)and show,for the first time,that serum levels of Ca10H are increased in patients suffering from different cancer types compared to healthy individuals.Of note,these levels are higher in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases than in prostate cancer patients without metastases.Collectively,we reveal novel molecular mechanisms by which heparan sulfate-related structures associated with tumor cells promote the generation of functional Tregs in cancer.The discovery of this novel structural-functional relationship may open new avenues of research with important clinical implications in cancer treatment.

Mucopolysaccharidosis typeⅢB:a current review and exploration of the AAV therapy landscape

Mucopolysaccharidoses typeⅢB is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene that encodes for N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase.This results in the aggregation of heparan sulfate polysaccharides within cell lysosomes that leads to progressive and severe debilitating neurological dysfunction.Current treatment options are expensive,limited,and presently there are no approved cures for mucopolysaccharidoses typeⅢB.Adeno-associated virus gene therapy has significantly advanced the field forward,allowing researchers to successfully design,enhance,and improve potential cures.Our group recently published an effective treatment using a codon-optimized triple mutant adeno-associated virus 8 vector that restores N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase levels,auditory function,and lifespan in the murine model for mucopolysaccharidoses typeⅢB to that seen in healthy mice.Here,we review the current state of the field in relation to the capsid landscape,adeno-associated virus gene therapy and its successes and challenges in the clinic,and how novel adenoassociated virus capsid designs have evolved research in the mucopolysaccharidoses typeⅢB field.

乙酰肝素酶、硫酸乙酰肝素和多配体蛋白聚糖-1在肺癌患者血清中的表达及诊断价值

目的探讨多配体蛋白聚糖-1(SDC-1)、硫酸乙酰肝素(HS)以及乙酰肝素酶(HPA)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)及小细胞肺癌(SCLC)患者血清中的水平及其对诊断及预后的预测价值。方法收集10例健康对照组及76例肺癌患者的血清标本,通过ELISA方法检测血清中HS、SDC-1、HPA表达水平。采用Mann-Whitney U检验进行组间比较。结果肺癌患者血清HS、SDC-1及HPA含量均高于健康对照组(P<0.05);HS、HPA单因素用于诊断肺癌时的AUC分别为0.819和0.930,HS、SDC-1、HPA三者联合诊断肺癌时AUC为0.974。结论HS、SDC-1、HPA三者联合检测对肺癌的诊断及预后具有较好的预测价值。

关于Heparan sulfate和Heparin sulfate的译名问题

近10多年来,在许多肾脏病学和肾脏病杂志中,大多数作者都把heparan sulfate翻译成硫酸肝素,这是一大错误。heparinsulfate传统地译为硫酸肝素,且一直沿用至今,这是被公认的。heparan sulfate不能译为硫酸肝素可以肯定。在15年前,笔者将其译为硫酸肝素样物(见本人主编肾脏病学第2版328页,1990)。此后,笔者在自己所写的文稿中都将其译为硫酸乙醯肝素。但生物化学专家们知其不是硫酸肝素,因它化学结构类似硫酸肝素。

Propolis modulates vitronectin,laminin,and heparan sulfate/heparin expression during experimental burn healing

Objective:This study was aimed at assessing the dynamics of vitronectin (VN), laminin (LN), and heparan sulfate/heparin (HS/HP) content changes during experimental burn healing. Methods:VN, LN, and HS/HP were isolated and purified from normal and injured skin of domestic pigs, on the 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 21st days following thermal damage. The wounds were treated with apitherapeutic agent (propolis), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), physiological salt solution, and propolis vehicle. VN and LN were quantified using an immunoenzymatic assay and HS/HP was estimated by densitometric analysis. Results:Propolis treatment stimulated significant increases in VN, LN, and HS/HP contents during the initial phase of study, followed by a reduction in the estimated extracellular matrix molecules. Similar patterns, although less extreme, were observed after treatment with SSD. Conclusions:The beneficial effects of propolis on experimental wounds make it a potential apitherapeutic agent in topical burn management.

In vitro evaluation of the compatibility of a novel collagen-heparan sulfate biological scaffold with olfactory ensheathing cells

Background Stroke and traumatic injury to the nerve system may trigger axonal destruction and the formation of scar tissue, cystic cavitations and physical gaps. Olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs） can secrete neurotrophic factors to promote neurite growth and thus act as a prime candidate for autologous transplantation. Biological scaffolds can provide a robust delivery vehicle to injured nerve tissue for neural cell transplantation strategies, owing to the porous three-dimensional structures （3D）. So transplantation of the purposeful cells seeded scaffolds may be a promising method for nerve tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate the compatibility of a novel collagen-heparan sulfate biological scaffold with olfactory ensheathing cells in vitro. Methods Collagen-heparan sulfate （CHS） biological scaffolds were made, and then the scaffolds and OECs were co-cultured in vitro. The viability of OECs was tested by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay at days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Statistical analysis was evaluated by student＇s ttest. Significance was accepted at P 〈0.05. OECs were labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester （CFSE）, and the CFSE-labeled OECs were seeded into CHS scaffolds. The attachment and growth of OECs in CHS scaffolds were observed and traced directly by fluorescent microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscope （ESEM）. Results CHS biological scaffolds had steady porous 3D structures and no cytotoxicity to OECs （F=-0.14, P=-0.9330）. CHS biological scaffolds were good bridging materials for OECs attachment and proliferation, and they promoted the axonal growth. Conclusion The compatibility of CHS biological scaffolds with OECs is pretty good and CHS biological scaffold is a promising cell carrier for the implantation of OECs in nerve tissue bioengineering.

Structural basis of heparan sulfate-specific degradation by heparinase Ⅲ

Heparinase Ⅲ(HepⅢ)is a 73-kDa polysaccharide lyase(PL)that degrades the heparan sulfate(HS)polysaccharides at sulfate-rare regions,which are important co-factors for a vast array of functional distinct proteins including the well-characterized antithrombin and the FGF/FGFR signal transduction system.It functions in cleaving metazoan heparan sulfate(HS)and providing carbon,nitrogen and sulfate sources for host microorganisms.It has long been used to deduce the structure of HS and heparin motifs;however,the structure of its own is unknown.Here we report the crystal structure of the HepⅢ from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron at a resolution of 1.6Å.The overall architecture of HepⅢ belongs to the(α/α)5 toroid subclass with an N-terminal toroid-like domain and a C-terminal β-sandwich domain.Analysis of this high-resolution structure allows us to identify a potential HS substrate binding site in a tunnel between the two domains.A tetrasaccharide substrate bound model suggests an elimination mechanism in the HS degradation.Asn260 and His464 neutralize the carboxylic group,whereas Tyr314 serves both as a general base in C-5 proton abstraction,and a general acid in a proton donation to reconstitute the terminal hydroxyl group,respectively.The structure of HepⅢ and the proposed reaction model provide a molecular basis for its potential practical utilization and the mechanism of its eliminative degradation for HS polysaccarides.

Polymorphisms in ghrelin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan genes and their association with diabetic nephropathy in Pakistani population

Diabetic nephropathy(DN),a long term complication of diabetes,is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease,increasing the risk of death.Genetic predispositions play an important role in determining the susceptibility of the development of DN.Heparan sulphate proteoglycan(HSPG) and ghrelin(GH) gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk of DN.T allele frequency of the HSPG gene determined by BamHI polymorphism located in intron 6 may be a risk factor for the development of renal dysfunction in DN(Fisher two tailed test,CI = 95%,d.f.= 29,P = 0.016).The ghrelin gene polymorphism is caused by a cytosine-to-adenine transition in exon 2 of the preproghrelin gene forming Leu72Met variant.In Pakistani population,the preproghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism was observed to be not associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients as indicated by statistical analysis(CI = 95%,d.f.= 29,P = 0.691).The allelic frequencies of HSPG genetic polymorphism has the potential to be used as diagnostic markers for diabetic nephropathy disease.

糖尿病合并新型冠状病毒S蛋白感染小鼠病理生理特征

目的建立糖尿病(DM)合并新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)感染小鼠模型,研究DM合并SARS-CoV-2感染病程发展中的重要病理生理变化。方法将野生型(WT)小鼠和由细胞角蛋白18基因启动子驱动的人血管紧张素转化酶2受体(K18-hACE2,简称hACE2)的转基因小鼠分别随机分为溶剂对照组、DM组、SARS-CoV-2病毒刺突蛋白感染(S)组以及DM合并S蛋白感染(DM+S)组,每组10~12只。除溶剂对照组及S组外,其余组通过10周高脂饮食后连续3 d ip给予链脲佐菌素(STZ)40 mg·kg^(-1)诱导DM症状,溶剂对照组及S组给予等体积0.1 mol·L^(-1)柠檬酸钠缓冲液。在此基础上,S组及DM+S组小鼠经鼻腔滴入15μg SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白与1 g·L^(-1)聚肌胞苷酸(Poly[I:C])的混合溶液50μL,溶剂对照组滴鼻给予等体积无菌水。在高脂喂养第6周和ip给予STZ 1周后,以口服葡萄糖耐量实验评价小鼠糖耐量水平及胰岛β细胞功能。高脂喂养第6周至ip给予STZ 2周后,每周用血糖仪检测小鼠随机血糖及空腹血糖。DM小鼠S蛋白感染前及感染24,48和120 h后,每组取3只小鼠颌下静脉取血后处死并取肺组织,采用苏木精-伊红染色法观察合并S蛋白感染前后的肺组织病理改变。S组小鼠在感染S蛋白前及感染6,24,48,72和120 h后采血,Luminex液相芯片技术检测小鼠血浆细胞因子白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、IL-2、IL-6、IL-10、IL-17、干扰素诱导蛋白10(IP-10)、干扰素γ(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、单核细胞趋化蛋白1(MCP-1)和粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)水平,ELISA检测血浆硫酸乙酰肝素(HS)水平;将细胞因子水平、HS水平与小鼠感染S蛋白后的肺部病理损伤程度进行Spearman相关性分析。结果STZ合并高脂饮食可诱导小鼠DM样表现,hACE2-DM组随机血糖(P<0.01)和1周后的空腹血糖(P<0.05)均显著高于WT-DM组,且hACE2-DM小鼠胰岛功能损伤程度显著高于WT-DM小鼠(P<0.05)。与DM组相比,DM+S组小鼠均表现出更严重的肺部病理变化,并伴有大量炎症浸润和肺间质增厚。与溶剂对照组相比,S蛋白感染6 h,WT-S组小鼠血浆中促炎细胞因子G-CSF,IL-6和IP-10均显著升高(P<0.01),S蛋白感染24 h,促炎细胞因子IL-17和抗炎细胞因子IL-10均显著升高(P<0.05);S蛋白感染6 h,hACE2-S组血浆中促炎细胞因子IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MCP-1,G-CSF和IP-10均显著升高(P<0.05,P<0.01);WT-DM+S组和hACE2-DM+S组IL-17分别在S蛋白感染24和6 h显著升高(P<0.01,P<0.05),hACE2-DM+S组IFN-γ和IL-1β延迟至48 h显著升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),MCP-1延迟至72 h显著升高(P<0.05)。与溶剂对照组相比,S蛋白感染6和24 h后,WT-S组血浆中HS水平显著升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),48 h开始降低;同时,与WT-S组相比,感染6 h后,WT-DM+S组HS水平略升高,24 h出现降低;hACE2-S组HS水平于24 h显著升高(P<0.01),且在S蛋白感染24,48和120 h后与WT-S组基本持平;S蛋白感染6,24和48 h后,hACE2-DM+S组血浆HS水平均显著升高(P<0.01,P<0.05),升高持续时间较其S组长。小鼠血浆中IL-1β,IL-10,MCP-1,IP-10,G-CSF以及HS水平与DM+S小鼠肺损伤程度呈正相关(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论本研究建立的DM合并SARS-CoV-2 S蛋白感染小鼠模型能成功模拟临床患者的部分病理生理特征,主要表现为较单纯感染免疫反应钝化,HS水平升高且持续时间较长。IL-1β,IL-10,MCP-1,IP-10,G-CSF以及HS可能有助于及时了解DM合并SARS-CoV-2感染患者的病程。

Drosophila heparan sulfate 3-0 sulfotransferase B Null Mutant Is Viable and Exhibits No Defects in Notch Signaling

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans （HSPGs） are critically involved in a variety of biological events. The functions of HSPGs are determined by the nature of the core proteins and modifications of heparan sulfate （HS） glycosaminoglycan （GAG） chains. The distinct O-sulfo- transferases are important for nonrandom modifications at specific positions. Two HS 3-0 sulfotransferase （Hs3st） genes, Hs3st-A and Hs3st-B, were identified in Drosophila. Previous experiments using RNA interference （RNAi） suggested that Hs3st-B was required for Notch signaling. Here, we generated a null mutant of Hs3st-B via ends-out gene targeting and examined its role（s） in development. We found that homozygous Hs3st-B mutants have no neurogenic defects or alterations in the expression of Notch signaling target gene. Thus, our results strongly argue against an essential role for Hs3st-B in Notch signaling. Moreover, we have generated two independent Hs3st-A RNAi lines which worked to deplete Hs3st-A. Importantly, Hs3st-A RNAi combined with Hs3st-B mutant flies did not alter the expression of Notch signaling components, arguing that both Hs3st-A and Hs3st-B were not essential for Notch signaling. The establishment of Hs3st-B mutant and effective Hs3st-A RNAi lines provides essential tools for further studies of the physiological roles of Hs3st-A and Hs3st-B in development and homeostasis.