bims-supasi 2022-12-04 papers

bims-supasi

Biomed News

on Sulfation pathways and signalling

Issue of 2022–12–04
sixteen papers selected by
Jonathan Wolf Mueller, University of Birmingham

Degradation of chondroitin sulfate: Mechanism of degradation, influence factors, structure-bioactivity relationship and application.
Modeling extracellular matrix through histo-molecular gradient in NSCLC for clinical decisions.
Heparin is required for the formation of granules in connective tissue mast cells.
Chondroitin Sulfate Targeting Nanodrug Achieves Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Chemotherapy Against Triple-Negative Breast Primary and Lung Metastatic Cancer.
Analysis of the ability of vitamin D3-metabolizing cytochromes P450 to act on vitamin D3 sulfate and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 3-sulfate.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of sulfur-linked sugar polymers as heparanase inhibitors.
Proteoglycans: A common portal for SARS-CoV-2 and extracellular vesicle uptake.
The influenza-injured lung microenvironment promotes MRSA virulence, contributing to severe secondary bacterial pneumonia.
Selective 2-desulfation of tetrasaccharide-repeating sulfated fucans during oligosaccharide production by mild acid hydrolysis.
Syndecan-4 regulates the HER2-positive breast cancer cell proliferation cells via CK19/AKT signalling.
Encapsulation of Manganese Porphyrin in Chondroitin Sulfate-A Microparticles for Long Term Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging.
Preparation, characterization and immunomodulatory effects of unsaturated sulfated oligoguluronic acid.
Anticoagulant Activity of Heparins from Different Animal Sources are Driven by a Synergistic Combination of Physical-chemical Factors.
Premature adrenarche in Prader-Willi syndrome is associated with accelerated pre-pubertal growth and advanced bone age.
SPS, a sulfated galactoglucan of Laetiporus sulphureus, exhibited anti-inflammatory activities.
A quantitative mass spectrometry method to differentiate bovine and ovine heparins from pharmaceutical porcine heparin.

Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Feb 01. pii: S0144-8617(22)01266-8. [Epub ahead of print]301(Pt B): 120361

Degradation of chondroitin sulfate: Mechanism of degradation, influence factors, structure-bioactivity relationship and application.

Kangyu Wang, Liwei Qi, Laiyu Zhao, Jiqian Liu, Yujie Guo, Chunhui Zhang.

  Increasing studies focus on chondroitin sulfate (CS) degradation to improve its biological activity. The review mainly introduces the degradation methods of CS and their mechanisms. Studies have shown that different degradation methods can lead to different structures of low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate (LMCS). LMCS were prepared through β-elimination reaction, hydrolysis reaction, hydrogen abstraction reaction, and deamination reaction. The degradation of CS is affected by two aspects: the structure of CS (disaccharide composition and molecular weight) and the influence of degradation conditions (temperature, pH, degradation promoters, auxiliary conditions, and time). LMCS with different structures have different biological activities. In addition, degradation could also change CS's metabolism, such as absorption effects and gut microbiota. Thus, choosing the appropriate degradation method for CS development and utilization is very important.

Keywords:  Application; Chondroitin sulfate; Degradation; Mechanism; Structure-bioactivity relationship

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120361
Front Oncol. 2022 ;12 1042766

Modeling extracellular matrix through histo-molecular gradient in NSCLC for clinical decisions.

Camila Machado Baldavira, Tabatha Gutierrez Prieto, Juliana Machado-Rugolo, Jurandir Tomaz de Miranda, Lizandre Keren Ramos de Oliveira, Ana Paula Pereira Velosa, Walcy Rosolia Teodoro, Alexandre Ab'Saber, Teresa Takagaki, Vera Luiza Capelozzi.

  Lung cancer still represents a global health problem, being the main type of tumor responsible for cancer deaths. In this context, the tumor microenvironment, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) pose as extremely relevant. Thus, this study aimed to explore the prognostic value of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), Wnt signaling, and ECM proteins expression in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with clinical stages I-IIIA. For that, we used 120 tissue sections from patients and evaluated the immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to each of these markers. We also used in silico analysis to validate our data. We found a strong expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, which reflects the differential ECM invasion process. Therefore, we also noticed a strong expression of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and collagens III and V. This suggests that, after EMT, the basal membrane (BM) enhanced the motility of invasive cells. EMT proteins were directly associated with WNT5A, and collagens III and V, which suggests that the WNT pathway drives them. On the other hand, heparan sulfate (HS) was associated with WNT3A and SPARC, while WNT1 was associated with CS. Interestingly, the association between WNT1 and Col IV suggested negative feedback of WNT1 along the BM. In our cohort, WNT3A, WNT5A, heparan sulfate and SPARC played an important role in the Cox regression model, influencing the overall survival (OS) of patients, be it directly or indirectly, with the SPARC expression stratifying the OS into two groups: 97 months for high expression; and 65 for low expression. In conclusion, the present study identified a set of proteins that may play a significant role in predicting the prognosis of NSCLC patients with clinical stages I-IIIA.

Keywords:  WNT signaling pathway; epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; extracellular matrix; glycosaminoglycans; lung cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.1042766
Front Immunol. 2022 ;13 1000405

Heparin is required for the formation of granules in connective tissue mast cells.

Sandra Abril Herrera-Heredia, Hsuan-Po Hsu, Cheng-Yen Kao, Yu-Huan Tsai, Yu Yamaguchi, Axel Roers, Chia-Lin Hsu, Ivan L Dzhagalov.

  Mast cells are innate immune cells strategically positioned around blood vessels near body surfaces. Their primary weapons are bioactive amines, mast cell-specific proteases, and cytokines stored in preformed granules. Mast cells granules constituents are packaged efficiently with the help of the highly negatively charged Heparan sulfate-derivative, Heparin. Heparin is one of the most widely used drugs to treat coagulation disorders, yet, it is not found in the circulation at a steady state, casting doubt that the prevention of blood clotting is its physiological function. Early studies using Ndst2 -/- mice have shown that Heparin is essential for mast cells granules formation. However, these mice could still produce less sulfated Heparan sulfate that could potentially replace Heparin. Here, we have created and validated a novel genetic model for Heparin deficiency, specifically in connective tissue mast cells, to address the physiological role of this molecule. Using this model, we have demonstrated that Heparin is required for mast cell granules formation; without it, mast cells are reduced in the peritoneal cavity and the skin. The absence of Heparin impaired the response to passive cutaneous anaphylaxis but, surprisingly, enhanced ear swelling in an irritant dermatitis model and reduced the lesion size and bacterial burden in a Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing dermatitis model. The altered function of Heparin-deficient mast cells in the latter two models was not mediated through enhanced Histamine or TNFα release. However, the Mrgprb2 receptor was up-regulated in knock-out mast cells, potentially explaining the enhanced response of mutant mice to irritant and necrotizing dermatitis. Altogether our results expand our current understanding of the physiological role of Heparin and provide unique tools to further dissect its importance.

Keywords:  Heparin; Mrgprb2; granules; irritant dermatitis; mast cells; necrotizing dermatitis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1000405
Int J Nanomedicine. 2022 ;17 5547-5563

Chondroitin Sulfate Targeting Nanodrug Achieves Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Chemotherapy Against Triple-Negative Breast Primary and Lung Metastatic Cancer.

Chen Huang, Chunbin Li, Jiaxuan Cai, Jie Chen, Baobei Wang, Mengxia Li, Wei Zhou, Jianguo Wang, Pengfei Zhang, Jian V Zhang.

   Introduction: Lack of highly expressed tumor target and ligands limits application of nano-medicine against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Previous study reported that placenta-derived oncofetal chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan chain (CSA) expressed on 90% of stage I-III invasive ductal breast carcinomas. Our study found the CSA anchor protein VAR2CSA derived small peptide plCSA had strong binding activity with TNBC cell lines and tumor tissue. Here, we combined the AIEgens TBZ-DPNA and therapy drug paclitaxel (PTX) to fabricate near-infrared fluorescence-guided nanodrug (plCSA-NP) to investigate its targeting and anti-tumor effect on TNBC.
Methods: We synthesized and purified TBZ-DPNA with one step, measured optical properties and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. We prepared nanodrug plCSA-NP by encapsulating TBZ-DPNA and PTX and conjugating them with peptide plCSA. We evaluated plCSA-NP targeting activity by examining AIEdots fluorescence signal on TNBC cell lines and subcutaneous and lung metastatic mouse model. We assessed PTX delivery effect by cytotoxicity assay on TNBC line and tumor growth of subcutaneous and lung metastatic mouse models.
Results: PL spectra and TEM imaging results showed plCSA-NP had maximum emission feature at 718 nm and nearly monodispersed nanosphere with an average diameter of 70 nm. In vitro studies showed plCSA-NPs had high affinity and cytotoxicity with TNBC cell lines. In vivo subcutaneous and lung metastasis mouse studies showed plCSA-NPs accumulated on TNBC tumor tissue, and significantly prevented TNBC subcutaneous and lung metastasis tumor growth.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we provide solid evidence for chondroitin sulfate targeting peptide plCSA guided nanodrug, exhibit good targeting efficiency and therapeutic effect against TNBC primary and lung metastatic tumor growth.

Keywords:  aggregation-induced emission; chemotherapy; drug delivery system; lung metastasis; plCSA; triple-negative breast cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S380358
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2022 Nov 28. pii: S0960-0760(22)00180-7. [Epub ahead of print] 106229

Analysis of the ability of vitamin D3-metabolizing cytochromes P450 to act on vitamin D3 sulfate and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 3-sulfate.

Robert C Tuckey, Chloe Y S Cheng, Lei Li, Yuhan Jiang.

  25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) is present in the human circulation esterified to sulfate with some studies showing that 25(OH)D3 3-sulfate levels are almost as high as unconjugated 25(OH)D3. Vitamin D3 is also present in human serum in the sulfated form as are other metabolites. Our aim was to determine whether sulfated forms of vitamin D3 and vitamin D3 metabolites can be acted on by vitamin D-metabolizing cytochromes P450 (CYPs), one of which (CYP11A1) is known to act on cholesterol sulfate. We used purified, bacterially expressed CYPs to test if they could act on the sulfated forms of their natural substrates. Purified CYP27A1 converted vitamin D3 sulfate to 25(OH)D3 3-sulfate with a catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) approximately half that for the conversion of vitamin D3 to 25(OH)D3. Similarly, the rate of metabolism of vitamin D3 sulfate was half that of vitamin D3 for CYP27A1 in rat liver mitochondria. CYP2R1 which is also a vitamin D 25-hydroxylase did not act on vitamin D3 sulfate. CYP11A1 was able to convert vitamin D3 sulfate to 20(OH)D3 3-sulfate but at a considerably lower rate than for conversion of vitamin D3 to 20(OH)D3. 25(OH)D3 3-sulfate was not metabolized by the activating enzyme, CYP27B1, nor by the inactivating enzyme, CYP24A1. Thus, we conclude that 25(OH)D3 3-sulfate in the circulation may act as a pool of metabolically inactive vitamin D3 to be released by hydrolysis at times of need whereas vitamin D3 sulfate can be metabolized in a similar manner to free vitamin D3 by CYP27A1 and to a lesser degree by CYP11A1.

Keywords:  25-hydroxyvitamin D3; CYP11A1; CYP24A1; CYP27A1; CYP27B1; CYP2R1; Vitamin D3 sulfate

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106229
Nat Commun. 2022 Dec 02. 13(1): 7438

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of sulfur-linked sugar polymers as heparanase inhibitors.

Peng He, Xing Zhang, Ke Xia, Dixy E Green, Sultan Baytas, Yongmei Xu, Truong Pham, Jian Liu, Fuming Zhang, Andrew Almond, Robert J Linhardt, Paul L DeAngelis.

Complex carbohydrates (glycans) are major players in all organisms due to their structural, energy, and communication roles. This last essential role involves interacting and/or signaling through a plethora of glycan-binding proteins. The design and synthesis of glycans as potential drug candidates that selectively alter or perturb metabolic processes is challenging. Here we describe the first reported sulfur-linked polysaccharides with potentially altered conformational state(s) that are recalcitrant to digestion by heparanase, an enzyme important in human health and disease. An artificial sugar donor with a sulfhydryl functionality is synthesized and enzymatically incorporated into polysaccharide chains utilizing heparosan synthase. Used alone, this donor adds a single thio-sugar onto the termini of nascent chains. Surprisingly, in chain co-polymerization reactions with a second donor, this thiol-terminated heparosan also serves as an acceptor to form an unnatural thio-glycosidic bond ('S-link') between sugar residues in place of a natural 'O-linked' bond. S-linked heparan sulfate analogs are not cleaved by human heparanase. Furthermore, the analogs act as competitive inhibitors with > ~200-fold higher potency than expected; as a rationale, molecular dynamic simulations suggest that the S-link polymer conformations mimic aspects of the transition state. Our analogs form the basis for future cancer therapeutics and modulators of protein/sugar interactions.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34788-3
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2022 Dec 02.

Proteoglycans: A common portal for SARS-CoV-2 and extracellular vesicle uptake.

Myriam Cerezo-Magaña, Anna Bång-Rudenstam, Mattias Belting.

  As structural components of the glycocalyx, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are involved in multiple pathophysiological processes at the apex of cell signaling cascades, and as endocytosis receptors for particle structures, such as lipoproteins, extracellular vesicles and enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Given their diversity and complex biogenesis regulation, HSPGs remain understudied. Here we compile some of the latest studies focusing on HSPGs as internalizing receptors of extracellular vesicles ("endogenous virus") and SARS-CoV-2 lipid-enclosed particles, and highlight similarities in their biophysical and structural characteristics. Specifically, the similarities in their biogenesis, size and lipid composition may explain a common dependence on HSPGs for efficient cell-surface attachment and uptake. We further discuss the relative complexity of extracellular vesicle composition and the viral mechanisms that evolve towards increased infectivity that complicate therapeutic strategies addressing blockade of their uptake.

Keywords:  COVID19; Cancer; Extracellular vesicles; Proteoglycans; SARS-CoV-2

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00453.2022
Cell Rep. 2022 Nov 29. pii: S2211-1247(22)01599-6. [Epub ahead of print]41(9): 111721

The influenza-injured lung microenvironment promotes MRSA virulence, contributing to severe secondary bacterial pneumonia.

Christophe Langouët-Astrié, Kaori Oshima, Sarah A McMurtry, Yimu Yang, Jakub M Kwiecinski, Wells B LaRivière, Jeffrey S Kavanaugh, Igor Zakharevich, Kirk C Hansen, Deling Shi, Fuming Zhang, Kristina M Boguslawski, Sofya S Perelman, Gouwei Su, Victor J Torres, Jian Liu, Alexander R Horswill, Eric P Schmidt.

  Influenza infection is substantially worsened by the onset of secondary pneumonia caused by bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The bidirectional interaction between the influenza-injured lung microenvironment and MRSA is poorly understood. By conditioning MRSA ex vivo in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from mice at various time points of influenza infection, we found that the influenza-injured lung microenvironment dynamically induces MRSA to increase cytotoxin expression while decreasing metabolic pathways. LukAB, a SaeRS two-component system-dependent cytotoxin, is particularly important to the severity of post-influenza MRSA pneumonia. LukAB's activity is likely shaped by the post-influenza lung microenvironment, as LukAB binds to (and is activated by) heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharide sequences shed from the epithelial glycocalyx after influenza. Our findings indicate that post-influenza MRSA pneumonia is shaped by bidirectional host-pathogen interactions: host injury triggers changes in bacterial expression of toxins, the activity of which may be shaped by host-derived HS fragments.

Keywords:  ARDS; CP: Microbiology; Hla; LukAB; SaeRS; glycocalyx; heparan sulfate; influenza; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; pneumonia; superinfection

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111721
Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Feb 01. pii: S0144-8617(22)01221-8. [Epub ahead of print]301(Pt A): 120316

Selective 2-desulfation of tetrasaccharide-repeating sulfated fucans during oligosaccharide production by mild acid hydrolysis.

Seon Beom Kim, Marwa Farrag, Sushil K Mishra, Sandeep K Misra, Joshua S Sharp, Robert J Doerksen, Vitor H Pomin.

  Sulfated fucans (SFs) from echinoderms, such as sea cucumbers and sea urchins, present linear and regular sulfation patterns within defined oligosaccharide building blocks. The high molecular weights of these polymers pose a problem in advanced structure-activity relationship studies for which derived oligosaccharides are more appropriate tools for investigation. However, enzymes capable of specifically depolymerizing SFs, fucanases, are not very common. Scarce abundance and unknown catalytic activities are additional barriers to exploiting fucanases. Oligosaccharide production by controlled chemical reactions such as mild acid hydrolysis then becomes a convenient strategy. As a consequence, physicochemical studies are necessary to understand the structural modifications caused on SFs by this chemical hydrolysis. Hence, in this work, we subjected three tetrasaccharide-repeating SFs from sea cucumbers, Isostichopus badionotus (IbSF), Holothuria floridana (HfSF), and Lytechinus variegatus (LvSF) to mild acid hydrolysis for oligosaccharide production. Interestingly, selective 2-desulfation reaction was observed in all three SFs. Through our study, we indicate that selective 2-desulfation is a common and expected phenomenon in oligosaccharide production by mild acid hydrolysis of SFs, including those composed of tetrasaccharide-repeating units.

Keywords:  Mass spectrometry; Mild acid hydrolysis; Molecular dynamics; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Stereospecific desulfation; Sulfated fucans

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120316
Biochimie. 2022 Nov 29. pii: S0300-9084(22)00306-6. [Epub ahead of print]

Syndecan-4 regulates the HER2-positive breast cancer cell proliferation cells via CK19/AKT signalling.

Son H Pham, Sofia Vuorinen, Km Taufiqul Arif, Lyn R Griffiths, Rachel K Okolicsanyi, Larisa M Haupt.

  Despite the use of the highly specific anti-HER2 receptor (trastuzumab) therapy, HER2-positive breast cancers account for 20-30% of all breast cancer carcinomas, with HER2 status a challenge to treatment interventions. The heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are prominently expressed in the extracellular matrix (ECM), mediate breast cancer proliferation, development, and metastasis with most studies to date conducted in animal models. This study examined HSPGs in HER2-positive human breast cancer cell lines and their contribution to cancer cell proliferation. The study examined the cells following enhancement (via the addition of heparin) and knockdown (KD; using short interfering RNA, siRNA) of HSPG core proteins. The interaction of HSPG core proteins and AKT signalling molecules was examined to identify any influence of this signalling pathway on cancer cell proliferation. Our findings illustrated the HSPG syndecan-4 (SDC4) core protein significantly regulates cell proliferation with increased BC cell proliferation following heparin addition to cultures and decreased cell number following SDC4 KD. In addition, along with SDC4, significant changes in CK19/AKT signalling were identified as mediators of BC HER2-positive BC cell proliferation. This study provides evidence for a cell growth regulatory axis involving HSPGs/CK19 and AKT that represents a potential molecular target to prevent proliferation of HER2-positive breast cancer cells.

Keywords:  AKT signalling; Breast cancer (BC); Cytokeratin (CK); Extracellular matrix (EMC); HER2-positive; Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs); MDA-MB-453; SKBR3

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2022.11.010
Cell Mol Bioeng. 2022 Oct;15(5): 391-407

Encapsulation of Manganese Porphyrin in Chondroitin Sulfate-A Microparticles for Long Term Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging.

Fei San Lee, Kayla E Ney, Alexandria N Richardson, Rebecca E Oberley-Deegan, Rebecca A Wachs.

   Introduction: Oxidative stress due to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) is related to many chronic illnesses including degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+ (BuOE), a manganese porphyrin analog, is a synthetic superoxide dismutase mimetic that scavenges ROS and has established good treatment efficacy at preventing radiation-induced oxidative damage in healthy cells. BuOE has not been studied in degenerative disc disease applications and only few studies have loaded BuOE into drug delivery systems. The goal of this work is to engineer BuOE microparticles (MPs) as an injectable therapeutic for long-term ROS scavenging.
Methods: Methacrylated chondroitin sulfate-A MPs (vehicle) and BuOE MPs were synthesized via water-in-oil polymerization and the size, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency and release profile were characterized. To assess long term ROS scavenging of BuOE MPs, superoxide scavenging activity was evaluated over an 84-day time course. In vitro cytocompatibility and cellular uptake were assessed on human intervertebral disc cells.
Results: BuOE MPs were successfully encapsulated in MACS-A MPs and exhibited a slow-release profile over 84 days. BuOE maintained high potency in superoxide scavenging after encapsulation and after 84 days of incubation at 37 °C as compared to naked BuOE. Vehicle and BuOE MPs (100 µg/mL) were non-cytotoxic on nucleus pulposus cells and MPs up to 23 µm were endocytosed.
Conclusions: BuOE MPs can be successfully fabricated and maintain potent superoxide scavenging capabilities up to 84-days. In vitro assessment reveals the vehicle and BuOE MPs are not cytotoxic and can be taken up by cells.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-022-00744-w.

Keywords:  Antioxidant; Degenerative disc disease; Drug delivery; Oxidative stress; SOD mimic

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12195-022-00744-w
Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Feb 01. pii: S0144-8617(22)01275-9. [Epub ahead of print]301(Pt B): 120370

Preparation, characterization and immunomodulatory effects of unsaturated sulfated oligoguluronic acid.

Decheng Bi, Jinfeng Huang, Jue Cao, Lijun Yao, Wushuang Guo, Zhenqing Zhang, Yan Wu, Hong Xu, Zhangli Hu, Xu Xu.

  Polyguluronic acid (PG) is a type of polysaccharide found in edible brown seaweeds. This study synthesized a new sulfated saccharide (SOGA) by sulfating PG-derived unsaturated oligoguluronic acid (OGA). The molecular weight and degree of sulfate-group substitution of SOGA were 1.6 kDa and 1.03, respectively. The structures of PG, OGA, and SOGA were elucidated using FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory effects of PG, OGA, and SOGA on LPS-triggered RAW264.7 and BV2 cells were evaluated. SOGA, but not PG or OGA, significantly reduced the LPS-stimulated overproduction of proinflammatory mediators and suppressed the activation of corresponding signalling pathways. Also, SOGA could actively regulate immune balance by inhibiting apoptosis and pyroapoptosis. These results suggested that SOGA is a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of diseases associated with immune disorders owing to its remarkable immunomodulatory effects, and that sulfate groups in the carbohydrate chain play a crucial role for its bioactivities.

Keywords:  Apoptosis; Immunomodulatory effects; Pyroptosis; Signalling pathway; Structural characterization; Unsaturated sulfated oligoguluronic acid

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120370
TH Open. 2022 Oct;6(4): e309-e322

Anticoagulant Activity of Heparins from Different Animal Sources are Driven by a Synergistic Combination of Physical-chemical Factors.

Stephan N M C G Oliveira, Ana M F Tovar, Francisco F Bezerra, Adriana A Piquet, Nina V Capillé, Paloma S Santos, Eduardo Vilanova, Paulo A S Mourão.

  Heparin has already been found in a variety of animal tissues but only few of them became effective sources for production of pharmaceutical preparations. Here, we correlate physical-chemical features and anticoagulant activities of structurally similar heparins employed in the past (from bovine lung, HBL), in the present (from porcine intestine, HPI) and in development for future use (from ovine intestine, HOI). Although they indeed have similar composition, our physical-chemical analyses with different chromatography and spectrometric techniques show that both HOI and HBL have molecular size notably lower than HPI and that the proportions of some of their minor saccharide components can vary substantially. Measurements of anticoagulant activities with anti-FIIa and anti-FXa assays confirmed that HPI and HOI have potency similar each other but significantly higher than HBL. Such a lower activity of HBL has been attributed to its reduced molecular size. Considering that HOI also has reduced molecular size, we find that its increased anticoagulant potency might result from an improved affinity to antithrombin (three times higher than HBL) promoted by the high content of N ,3,6-trisulfated glucosamine units, which in turn are directly involved in the heparin-antithrombin binding. Therefore, the anticoagulant activity of different heparins is driven by a balance between different physical-chemical components, especially molecular size and fine-tuning composition. Although such minor but relevant chemical differences reinforce the concept that heparins from different animal sources should indeed be considered as distinct drugs, HOI could be approved for interchangeable use with the gold standard HPI and as a suitable start material for producing new LMWHs.

Keywords:  anticoagulant; heparin; low-molecular-weight heparin; physical-chemical concepts; thromboembolism

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1946-0325
J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Dec 05.

Premature adrenarche in Prader-Willi syndrome is associated with accelerated pre-pubertal growth and advanced bone age.

Lindsey S Gaston, Diane E Stafford.

   OBJECTIVES: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by obesity, growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism, and a high prevalence of premature adrenarche despite reported hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction. While idiopathic premature adrenarche is associated with accelerated pre-pubertal growth and advanced bone age, the consequences of elevated adrenal androgens on growth and bone maturation in PWS remain unknown. This study therefore sought to describe age-related changes in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and their effects on growth and bone maturation in PWS.
METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 62 children with PWS. Simple and multiple regression models were constructed to relate age and BMI-SDS with DHEAS levels. Height velocity was compared to age and sex-based norms with t-tests and two-way ANOVA. Patterns in bone age Z-score were examined with two-way ANOVA, and the contributions of age, BMI-SDS, and DHEAS to bone age Z-score were analyzed with multiple regression.
RESULTS: DHEAS levels rose earlier and were less strongly correlated with age in males and females with PWS (R2=0.12 and 0.30) compared to healthy controls (R2=0.89 and 0.88) in a pattern unrelated to BMI-SDS (adjusted R2=0.076, p=0.10 for age, and 0.29 for BMI-SDS). Mid-childhood height velocity was increased in males and preserved in females with PWS before declining at the age of expected puberty (p<0.0001). Peri-adrenarchal bone age was advanced in a manner associated with DHEAS but not BMI-SDS (p<0.0001; adjusted R2=0.48, p=0.0014 for DHEAS, and 0.78 for BMI-SDS).
CONCLUSIONS: An obesity-independent increase in adrenal androgens is associated with accelerated mid-childhood growth and bone maturation in PWS.

Keywords:  Prader–Willi syndrome; growth; premature adrenarche

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2022-0468
Int J Biol Macromol. 2022 Nov 25. pii: S0141-8130(22)02793-3. [Epub ahead of print]

SPS, a sulfated galactoglucan of Laetiporus sulphureus, exhibited anti-inflammatory activities.

Mei-Kuang Lu, Chia-I Jen, Chi-Hsein Chao, Yu-Chi Hsu, Lean-Teik Ng.

  Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible and medicinal mushroom. A sulfated galactoglucan (SPS) was isolated by the papain method. Polysaccharides (PS) were isolated by hot water and ethanol precipitation. The medium molecular weight SPS of 100 to 1000 kDa accounted for over half of the SPS mixture. Fucose, galactose, glucose, and mannose were the major monosaccharides in SPS and PS. The amount of sulfate in SPS was 1.09 mmol/g. SPS showed inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) release and reversed IκB degradation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. The suppression of TNF-α secretion by SPS was through inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). A purified SPS, named SPS-3, was proven to inhibit the LPS-induced phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, and p-38 in RAW264.7 cells. The suppression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) secretion by PS was through inhibiting LPS-induced phosphorylation of p-38 and TGF-β receptor II (TGFRII) signaling pathways. This study demonstrates that the isolated SPS and PS from L. sulphureus possessed good anti-inflammatory activity for dietary supplements and functional food.

Keywords:  Anti-inflammation; Laetiporus sulphureus; P-p38; Polysaccharides; Sulfated galactoglucan; TNF-α

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.237
Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Feb 01. pii: S0144-8617(22)01208-5. [Epub ahead of print]301(Pt A): 120303

A quantitative mass spectrometry method to differentiate bovine and ovine heparins from pharmaceutical porcine heparin.

Bin Zhang, Deling Shi, Mengmeng Li, Feng Shi, Lianli Chi.

  Heparin is a polysaccharide extracted from animal tissues and is used widely as an anticoagulant. In most countries, porcine intestine mucosa is the only legal source for producing heparin. It is challenging to differentiate heparins derived from porcine, ovine and bovine, especially when low amounts of ruminant heparin are adulterated into porcine heparin. Herein, we find that two marker saccharides, ΔUA2S-GlcNS6S-HexA2S (ΔISH) and ΔUA2S-GlcNAc6S (ΔIA), show significant differences in the basic building blocks of porcine heparin obtained from ruminant heparin. A quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) method was then established to selectively monitor these two marker saccharides. By using the ΔISH to ΔIA ratio, porcine heparin adulterated with a low amount of ruminant heparin (10 % ovine heparin or 5 % bovine heparin) can be differentiated. This represents a robust and sensitive method for ensuring the authenticity and safety of heparin drugs.

Keywords:  Animal origin; Heparin; Mass spectrometry

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120303