Efficiencies of fragmentation of glycosaminoglycan chloramides of the extracellular matrix by oxidizing and reducing radicals: potential site-specific targets in inflammation?

Hypochlorous acid and its conjugate base, hypochlorite ions, produced under inflammatory conditions, may produce chloramides of glycosaminoglycans, these being significant components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This may occur through the binding of myeloperoxidase directly to the glycosaminoglycans. The N–Cl group in the chloramides is a potential selective target for both reducing and oxidizing radicals, leading possibly to more efficient and damaging fragmentation of these biopolymers relative to the parent glycosaminoglycans. To investigate the effect of the N–Cl group, we used ionizing radiation to produce quantifiable concentrations of the reducing radicals, hydrated electron and superoxide radical, and also of the oxidizing radicals, hydroxyl, carbonate, and nitrogen dioxide, all of which were reacted with hyaluronan and heparin and their chloramides in this study. PAGE gels calibrated for molecular weight allowed the consequent fragmentation efficiencies of these radicals to be calculated. Hydrated electrons were shown to produce fragmentation efficiencies of 100 and 25% for hyaluronan chloramide (HACl) and heparin chloramide (HepCl), respectively. The role of the sulfate group in heparin in the reduction of fragmentation can be rationalized using mechanisms proposed by M.D. Rees et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125:13719–13733; 2003), in which the initial formation of an amidyl radical leads rapidly to a C-2 radical on the glucosamine moiety. This is 100% efficient at causing glycosidic bond breakage in HACl but only 25% efficient in HepCl, the role of the sulfate group being to favor the nonfragmentary routes for the C-2 radical. The weaker reducing agent, the superoxide radical, did not cause fragmentation of either HACl or HepCl although kinetic reactivity had been demonstrated in earlier studies. Experiments using the oxidizing radicals, hydroxyl and carbonate, both potential in vivo species, showed significant increases in fragmentation efficiencies for both HACl and HepCl, relative to the parent molecules. The carbonate radical was shown to be involved in site-specific reactions at the N–Cl groups, reacting via abstraction of Cl, to produce the same amidyl radical produced by one-electron reductants such as the hydrated electron. As for the hydrated electrons, the data support fragmentation efficiencies of 100 and 29% for reaction of carbonate radicals at N–Cl for HACl and HepCl, respectively. For the weaker oxidant, nitrogen dioxide, no fragmentation was observed, probably because of a low kinetic reactivity and low reduction potential. It seems likely therefore that the N–Cl group can direct damage to extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan chloramides, which may be produced under inflammatory conditions. The in vivo species, the carbonate radical, is also much more likely to be site-specific in its reactions with such components of the ECM than the hydroxyl radical.     

Depolarization of the membrane potential by hyaluronan

The membrane potential is mainly maintained by the K⁺ concentration gradient across the cell membrane between the cytosol and the extracellular matrix. Here, we show that extracellular addition of high‐molecular weight hyaluronan depolarized the membrane potential of human fibroblasts, human embryonic kidney cells (HEK), and central nervous system neurons in a concentration‐dependent manner, whereas digestion of cell surface hyaluronan by hyaluronidase caused hyperpolarization. This effect could not be achieved by other glycosaminoglycans or hyaluronan oligosaccharides, chondroitin sulfate, and heparin which did not affect the membrane potential. Mixtures of high‐molecular weight hyaluronan and bovine serum albumin had a larger depolarization effect than expected as the sum of both individual components. The different behavior of high‐molecular weight hyaluronan versus hyaluronan oligosaccharides and other glycosaminoglycans can be explained by a Donnan effect combined with a steric exclusion of other molecules from the water solvated chains of high‐molecular weight hyaluronan. Depolarization of the plasma membrane by hyaluronan represents an additional pathway of signal transduction to the classical CD44 signal transduction pathway, which links the extracellular matrix to intracellular metabolism. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 858–864, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Reevaluation of the rate constants for the reaction of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with cysteine,methionine, and peptide derivatives using a new competition kinetic approach

Activated white cells use oxidants generated by the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase to kill invading pathogens. This enzyme utilizes H₂O₂ and Cl⁻, Br⁻, or SCN⁻ to generate the oxidants HOCl, HOBr, and HOSCN, respectively. Whereas controlled production of these species is vital in maintaining good health, their uncontrolled or inappropriate formation (as occurs at sites of inflammation) can cause host tissue damage that has been associated with multiple inflammatory pathologies including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Previous studies have reported that sulfur-containing species are major targets for HOCl but as the reactions are fast the only physiologically relevant kinetic data available have been extrapolated from data measured at high pH (>10). In this study these values have been determined at pH 7.4 using a newly developed competition kinetic approach that employs a fluorescently tagged methionine derivative as the competitive substrate (k(HOCl + Fmoc-Met), 1.5×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). This assay was validated using the known k(HOCl + NADH) value and has allowed revised k values for the reactions of HOCl with Cys, N-acetylcysteine, and glutathione to be determined as 3.6×10⁸, 2.9×10⁷, and 1.24×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Similar experiments with methionine derivatives yielded k values of 3.4×10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for Met and 1.7×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for N-acetylmethionine. The k values determined here for the reaction of HOCl with thiols are up to 10-fold higher than those previously determined and further emphasize the critical importance of reactions of HOCl with thiol targets in biological systems.     

Heparin affects the interaction of kininogen on endothelial cells

In the plasma kallikrein-kinin system, it has been shown that when plasma prekallikrein (PK) and high molecular weight kininogen (HK) assemble on endothelial cells, plasma kallikrein (huPK) becomes available to cleave HK, releasing bradykinin, a potent mediator of the inflammatory response. Because the formation of soluble glycosaminoglycans occurs concomitantly during the inflammatory processes, the effect of these polysaccharides on the interaction of HK on the cell surface or extracellular matrix (ECM) of two endothelial cell lines (ECV304 and RAEC) was investigated. In the presence of Zn⁺², HK binding to the surface or ECM of RAEC was abolished by heparin; reduced by heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, chondroitin 4-sulfate or dermatan sulfate; and not affected by chondroitin 6-sulfate. By contrast, only heparin reduced HK binding to the ECV304 cell surface or ECM. Using heparin-correlated molecules such as low molecular weight dextran sulfate, low molecular weight heparin and N-desulfated heparin, we suggest that these effects were mainly dependent on the charge density and on the N-sulfated glucosamine present in heparin. Surprisingly, PK binding to cell- or ECM-bound-HK and PK activation was not modified by heparin. However, the hydrolysis of HK by huPK, releasing BK in the fluid phase, was augmented by this glycosaminoglycan in the presence of Zn²⁺. Thus, a functional dichotomy exists in which soluble glycosaminoglycans may possibly either increase or decrease the formation of BK. In conclusion, glycosaminoglycans that accumulated in inflammatory fluids or used as a therapeutic drug (e.g., heparin) could act as pro- or anti-inflammatory mediators depending on different factors within the cell environment.     

One-electron oxidation and reduction of glycosaminoglycan chloramides: A kinetic study

Hypochlorous acid and its acid–base counterpart, hypochlorite ions, produced under inflammatory conditions, may produce chloramides of glycosaminoglycans, these being significant components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This may occur through the binding of myeloperoxidase directly to the glycosaminoglycans. The N–Cl group in the chloramides is a potential selective target for both reducing and oxidizing radicals, leading possibly to more efficient and damaging fragmentation of these biopolymers relative to the parent glycosaminoglycans. In this study, the fast reaction techniques of pulse radiolysis and nanosecond laser flash photolysis have been used to generate both oxidizing and reducing radicals to react with the chloramides of hyaluronan (HACl) and heparin (HepCl). The strong reducing formate radicals and hydrated electrons were found to react rapidly with both HACl and HepCl with rate constants of 1–1.7×10⁸ and 0.7–1.2×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for formate radicals and 2.2×10⁹ and 7.2×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for hydrated electrons, respectively. The spectral characteristics of the products of these reactions were identical and were consistent with initial attack at the N–Cl groups, followed by elimination of chloride ions to produce nitrogen-centered radicals, which rearrange subsequently and rapidly to produce C-2 radicals on the glucosamine moiety, supporting an earlier EPR study by M.D. Rees et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125: 13719–13733; 2003). The oxidizing hydroxyl radicals also reacted rapidly with HACl and HepCl with rate constants of 2.2×10⁸ and 1.6×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, with no evidence from these data for any degree of selective attack on the N–Cl group relative to the N–H groups and other sites of attack. The carbonate anion radicals were much slower with HACl and HepCl than hydroxyl radicals (1.0×10⁵ and 8.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively) but significantly faster than with the parent molecules (3.5×10⁴ and 5.0×10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively). These findings suggest that these potential in vivo radicals may react in a site-specific manner with the N–Cl group in the glycosaminoglycan chloramides of the ECM, possibly to produce more efficient fragmentation. This is the first study therefore to conclusively demonstrate that reducing radicals react rapidly with glycosaminoglycan chloramides in a site-specific attack at the N–Cl group, probably to produce a 100% efficient biopolymer fragmentation process. Although less reactive, carbonate radicals, which may be produced in vivo via reactions of peroxynitrite with serum levels of carbon dioxide, also appear to react in a highly site-specific manner at the N–Cl group. It is not yet known if such site-specific attacks by this important in vivo species lead to a more efficient fragmentation of the biopolymers than would be expected for attack by the stronger oxidizing species, the hydroxyl radical. It is clear, however, that the N–Cl group formed under inflammatory conditions in the extracellular matrix does present a more likely target for both reactive oxygen species and reducing species than the N–H groups in the parent glycosaminoglycans.     

Effect of retinoic acid on chondrocyte glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis.

The effect of retinoic acid on glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis was investigated in rat costal cartilage chondrocytes in vitro. At levels of 10^?9 to 10^?8m retinoic acid, ³⁵SO₄ uptake into glycosaminoglycans was reduced 50%. At these low levels of retinoic acid there was no evidence of lysosomal enzyme release. The results are explained best in terms of modification of glycosaminoglycan synthesis, rather than accelerated degradation. Retinoic acid selectively modified the incorporation of ³⁵SO₄ or [¹⁴C]glucosamine into individual glycosaminoglycans fractions under the conditions studied. The relative incorporation of radiolabeled precursor into heparan sulfate (and/or) heparin increased three- to fourfold. The relative incorporation of radiolabeled precursor remained constant for chondroitin 6-sulfate, whereas incorporation into chondroitin 4-sulfate and chondroitin (and/or) hyaluronic acid decreased. Under the conditions studied, retinoic acid did not appear to be cytotoxic and did exhibit selective control over glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis. It is suggested that the decreased incorporation of ³⁵SO₄ into glycosaminoglycans at hypervitaminosis A levels of retinol may be accounted for by the presence of low levels of retinoic acid, a naturally occurring metabolite.     

Bilirubin scavenges chloramines and inhibits myeloperoxidase-induced protein/lipid oxidation in physiologically relevant hyperbilirubinemic serum

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), an oxidant produced by myeloperoxidase (MPO), induces protein and lipid oxidation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Individuals with mildly elevated bilirubin concentrations (i.e., Gilbert syndrome; GS) are protected from atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and related mortality. We aimed to investigate whether exogenous/endogenous unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), at physiological concentrations, can protect proteins/lipids from oxidation induced by reagent and enzymatically generated HOCl. Serum/plasma samples supplemented with exogenous UCB (≤250 µM) were assessed for their susceptibility to HOCl and MPO/H₂O₂/Cl⁻ oxidation, by measuring chloramine, protein carbonyl, and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Serum/plasma samples from hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats and humans with GS were also exposed to MPO/H₂O₂/Cl⁻ to: (1) validate in vitro data and (2) determine the relevance of endogenously elevated UCB in preventing protein and lipid oxidation. Exogenous UCB dose-dependently (P<0.05) inhibited HOCl and MPO/H₂O₂/Cl⁻-induced chloramine formation. Albumin-bound UCB efficiently and specifically (3.9–125 µM; P<0.05) scavenged taurine, glycine, and N-α-acetyllysine chloramines. These results were translated into Gunn rat and GS serum/plasma, which showed significantly (P<0.01) reduced chloramine formation after MPO-induced oxidation. Protein carbonyl and MDA formation was also reduced after MPO oxidation in plasma supplemented with UCB (P<0.05; 25 and 50 µM, respectively). Significant inhibition of protein and lipid oxidation was demonstrated within the physiological range of UCB, providing a hypothetical link to protection from atherosclerosis in hyperbilirubinemic individuals. These data demonstrate a novel and physiologically relevant mechanism whereby UCB could inhibit protein and lipid modification by quenching chloramines induced by MPO-induced HOCl.     

Site-specific hypochlorous acid-induced oxidation of recombinant human myoglobin affects specific amino acid residues and the rate of cytochrome b5-mediated heme reduction

Myeloperoxidase catalyzes the reaction of chloride ions with H₂O₂ to yield hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which can damage proteins. Human myoglobin (HMb) differs from other Mbs by the presence of a cysteine residue at position 110 (Cys110). This study has (i) compared wild-type and a Cys110Ala variant of HMb to assess the influence of Cys110 on HOCl-induced amino acid modification and (ii) determined whether HOCl oxidation of HMb affects the rate of ferric heme reduction by cytochrome b₅. For wild-type HMb (HOCl:Mb ratio of 5:1 mol:mol), Cys110 was preferentially oxidized to a homodimeric or cysteic acid product—sulfenic/sulfinic acids were not detected. At a HOCl:Mb ratio 10:1 mol:mol, methionine (Met) oxidation was detected, and this was enhanced in the Cys110Ala variant. Tryptophan (Trp) oxidation was detected only in the Cys110Ala variant at the highest HOCl dose tested, with oxidation susceptibility following the order Cys > Met > Trp. Tyrosine chlorination was evident only in reactions between HOCl and the Cys110Ala variant and at a longer incubation time (24 h), consistent with the formation via chlorine-transfer reactions from preformed chloramines. HOCl-mediated oxidation of wild-type HMb resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the observed rate constant for ferric heme reduction (approx two-fold at HOCl:Mb of 10:1 mol:mol). These data indicate that Cys110 influences the oxidation of HMb by HOCl and that oxidation of Cys, Met, and Trp residues is associated with a decrease in the one-electron reduction of ferric HMb by other proteins; such heme-Fe³⁺ reduction is critical to the maintenance of function as an oxygen storage protein in tissues.     

Heparin Prevents Intracellular Hyaluronan Synthesis and Autophagy Responses in Hyperglycemic Dividing Mesangial Cells and Activates Synthesis of an Extensive Extracellular Monocyte-adhesive Hyaluronan Matrix after Completing Cell Division

Growth-arrested rat mesangial cells (RMCs) at a G₀/G₁ interphase stimulated to divide in hyperglycemic medium initiate intracellular hyaluronan synthesis that induces autophagy/cyclin D3-induced formation of a monocyte-adhesive extracellular hyaluronan matrix after completing cell division. This study shows that heparin inhibits the intracellular hyaluronan synthesis and autophagy responses, but at the end of cell division it induces synthesis of a much larger extracellular monocyte-adhesive hyaluronan matrix. Heparin bound to RMC surfaces by 1 h, internalizes into the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum region by 2 h, and was nearly gone by 4 h. Treatment by heparin for only the first 4 h was sufficient for its function. Streptozotocin diabetic rats treated daily with heparin showed similar results. Glomeruli in sections of diabetic kidneys showed extensive accumulation of autophagic RMCs, increased hyaluronan matrix, and influx of macrophages over 6 weeks. Hyaluronan staining in the glomeruli of heparin-treated diabetic rats was very high at week 1 and decreased to near control level by 6 weeks without any RMC autophagy. However, the influx of macrophages by 6 weeks was as pronounced as in diabetic glomeruli. The results are as follows: 1) heparin blocks synthesis of hyaluronan in intracellular compartments, which prevents the autophagy and cyclin D3 responses thereby allowing RMCs to complete cell division and sustain function; 2) interaction of heparin with RMCs in early G₁ phase is sufficient to induce signaling pathway(s) for its functions; and 3) influxed macrophages effectively remove the hyaluronan matrix without inducing pro-fibrotic responses that lead to nephropathy and proteinurea in diabetic kidneys.     

Heparan sulfate biosynthesis by embryonic tissues and primary fibroblast populations.

Fibroblasts from cornea, heart, and skin of day 14 embryonic chicks demonstrate the ability to make heparan sulfate-like polysaccharide when examined during the 10 hr period immediately following their removal from the embryo. Both the whole tissues from which these fibroblasts are isolated and the fibroblasts grown for 2–5 weeks in vitro also synthesize heparan sulfate. During their first few days in vitro, the three fibroblast populations display increasing rates of [³⁵S]-sulfate and d-[1-³H]-Glucosamine incorporation into glycosaminoglycans and sharp fluctuations of those rates, yet the percentage of total [³⁵S]-sulfate incorporated into heparan sulfate-like polysaccharide and the distribution of this polysaccharide between cells and nutrient medium do not change significantly. During their first 48 hr in vitro, skin fibroblasts, but not those from cornea or heart, show steadily decreasing discrepancies between the proportions of [³⁵S]-sulfate and d-[1-³H]-Glucosamine incorporated into heparan sulfate, suggesting a sharp decline in the synthesis of nonsulfated glycosaminoglycans. These data support the hypothesis of Kraemer than many cell-types in vivo may normally make heparan sulfate. The data largely eliminate the hypothesis that the biosynthesis of this polysaccharide is selectively stimulated as embryonic cells adapt to growth in vitro.     

Release of O-sulfate groups under mild acid hydrolysis conditions used for estimation of N-sulfate content

The treatment of chondroitin sulfate isolated from cultured B16 mouse melanoma cells with 0.04 M HCl at 100°C for 90 min released up to 45% of O-sulfate residues as free inorganic sulfate. In addition to the release of inorganic sulfate, extensive degradation of this polysaccharide as well as of cartilage chondroitin sulfate, pig rib cartilage proteoglycan, heparin and hyaluronic acid was also evident under these conditions. The above hydrolysis conditions are used for characterizing ³⁵S-labeled heparan sulfates synthesized by cultured cells and to calculate ratio of N- and O-sulfates in these molecules. Our results suggest that caution in necessary in interpreting the results of mild acid hydrolysis of glycosaminoglycans.     

Aggregation of hydroxyapatite crystals

A system to study the aggregation of hydroxyapatite crystals was developed. The effect of several factors (Ca²⁺ × P_i product, Ca²⁺ /P_i ratio, pH, and various substances) were tested. Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺ and methyleneblue had only small effects; citrate inhibited aggregation. Pyrophosphate was a strong inhibitor and the diphosphonates disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate and disodium duchloromethylene diphosphonate were even more potent. The monophosphonate pentanemonophosphonate had no effect. Potent inhibition also occurred with glycosaminoglycans: heparin > hyaluronic acid > dermatan sulfate > chondroitin 4-sulfate > chondroitin 6-sulfate. Urine also showed high inhibitory activity. The inhibition of heparin but not that of hyaluronic acid, PP_i or urine was abolished by egg white lysozyme. The effects described might be relevant in the normal mineralization process as well as in the mechanisms leading to pathological calcification, such as urinary stone formation.     

Apparent sulfation of glycosaminoglycans by ascorbic acid 2-[S]Sulfate: An explanation

The sulfation of glycosaminoglycans by ascorbic acid 2-[^{3 5}S]sulfate was studied in costal cartilage and chrndrocytes in vitro. Negligable (if any) sulfation of glycosaminoglycans was detected with immediately isolated ascorbic acid 2-[^{3 5}S]sulfate. However, formation of [^{3 5}S]glycosaminoglycans was readily detected with ascorbic acid 2-[^{3 5}S]sulfate which had been stored at −20°C for several days. The [^{3 5}S]glycosaminoglycans did not result from the direct transfer of ^{3 5}S from ascorbic acid 2-sulfate but rather from a decomposition product of ascorbic acid 2-[^{3 5}S]sulfate.Evidence is presented to show that the sulfation pathway with the decomposition product involves exchange with inorganic sulfate, and strongly suggests that sulfation proceeds via 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate. The decomposition product appears similar to inorganic sulfate in several test systems. In view of these observations, it is suggested that previous conclusions implicating ascorbic acid 2-sulfate as a biological sulfate donor, based on the use of ascorbic acid 2-[^{3 5}S]sulfate be re-evaluated.     

Complexing of fibronectin glycosaminoglycans and collagen

Collagen-fibronectin complexes, formed by binding of fibronectin to gelatin or collagen insolubilized on Sepharose, were found to bind 20–40% of radioactivity in [³⁵S]heparin. Fibronectin attached directly to Sepharose also bound [³⁵S]heparin, while gelatin-Sepharose without fibronectin did not. Unlabeled heparin and highly sulfated heparan sulfate efficiently inhibited the binding of [³⁵S]heparin, hyaluronic acid and dermatan sulfate were slightly inhibitory, while chondroitin sulfates and heparan sulfate with a low sulfate content did not inhibit.The interaction of heparin with fibronectin bound to gelatin resulted in complexes which required higher concentrations of urea to dissociate than complexes of fibronectin and gelatin alone. Heparin as well as highly sulfated heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid brought about agglutination of plastic beads coated with gelatin when fibronectin was present. Neither fibronectin nor glycosaminoglycans alone agglutinated the beads.It is proposed that the multiple interactions of fibronectin, collagen and glycosaminoglycans revealed in these assays could play a role in the deposition of these substances as an insoluble extracellular matrix. Alterations of the quality or quantity of any one of these components could have important effects on cell surface interactions, including the lack of cell surface fibronectin in malignant cells.     

Degradation of extracellular matrix and its components by hypobromous acid

EPO (eosinophil peroxidase) and MPO (myeloperoxidase) are highly basic haem enzymes that can catalyse the production of HOBr (hypobromous acid). They are released extracellularly by activated leucocytes and their binding to the polyanionic glycosa-minoglycan components of extracellular matrix (proteoglycans and hyaluronan) may localize the production of HOBr to these materials. It is shown in the present paper that the reaction of HOBr with glycosaminoglycans (heparan sulfate, heparin, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan) generates polymer-derived N-bromo derivatives (bromamines, dibromamines, N-bromosulfon-amides and bromamides). Decomposition of these species, which can occur spontaneously and/or via one-electron reduction by low-valent transition metal ions (Cu+ and Fe2+), results in polymer fragmentation and modification. One-electron reduction of the N-bromo derivatives generates radicals that have been detected by EPR spin trapping. The species detected are consistent with metal ion-dependent polymer fragmentation and modification being initiated by the formation of nitrogen-centred (aminyl, N-bromoaminyl, sulfonamidyl and amidyl) radicals. Previous studies have shown that the reaction of HOBr with proteins generates N-bromo derivatives and results in fragmentation of the polypeptide backbone. The reaction of HOBr with extracellular matrix synthesized by smooth muscle cells in vitro induces the release of carbohydrate and protein components in a time-dependent manner, which is consistent with fragmentation of these materials via the formation of N-bromo derivatives. The degradation of extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans and proteins by HOBr may contribute to tissue damage associated with inflammatory diseases such as asthma.     

Competitive binding of heparin with hyaluronan to a specific motif in SPACR

The critical hyaluronan binding motif (HABM) in sialoprotein associated with cones and rods (SPACR) has already been determined. As sialoproteoglycan associated with cones and rods, another interphotoreceptor matrix molecule, binds to chondroitin sulfate and heparin with or without the employment of HABMs, respectively, we evaluated and compared the binding of these glycosaminoglycans to SPACR. A western blotting study in combination with inhibition assays showed that heparin bound specifically to SPACR. A series of GST fusion proteins covering the whole SPACR molecule narrowed down the region responsible for the binding. Finally, a site-directed mutagenesis assay demonstrated that the critical HABM also acts as a specific binding site for heparin. These results were supported with mutual inhibitions by hyaluronan and heparin in analyses using GST fusion proteins and native SPACR derived from retina. Thus, these glycosaminoglycans bind to SPACR in a different manner than to sialoproteoglycan associated with cones and rods. The competitive binding between hyaluronan and heparin to SPACR, mediated through the identical HABM, may dominate the functions of SPACR, in turn involving physiological and pathological processes involved in retinal development, aging and other related disorders.     

Isolation and characterization of the sulfated glycosaminoglycans of the vitreous body

Ester sulfate containing glycosaminoglycans comprising approx. 3% of the total glycosaminoglycan content, have been isolated from protease-digested bovine vitreous body by stepwise fractionation on AG-1X2(Cl^?) and gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-300. Two heparan sulfate and two chondroitin-4-sulfate fractions were isolated in nearly pure form. The heparan sulfate fractions were undersulfated and contained the same relative proportions of N- and O-sulfate (1 : 2), although the total sulfate content differed by approx. 100%. No chondroitin-6-sulfate was present in the isolates, based on evidence obtained from chondroitin ABC lyase experiments.     

Avidin is a heparin-binding protein. Affinity,specificity and structural analysis

The specificity, affinity and stoichiometry of the interaction between avidin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been investigated using heparin-coated microtiter-plate assays, a filter binding assay and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis using a BIAcore 2000 biosensor. Avidin binds heparin and heparan sulfate, and chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate, dermatan sulfate or hyaluronan were unable to compete for binding. Highest-affinity binding was observed with heparin, and weaker binding was seen when using heparan sulfate or low molecular weight heparin preparations. This indicated that only specific polysaccharide structures tightly interact with avidin. Approximately two avidin molecules bind to each heparin molecule with an overall affinity of 160 nM. The interaction is pH dependent, increasing five-fold upon decreasing the pH from 7.5 to 5.5, while binding was negligible at pH 9. We demonstrate the potential of fluorescent avidin derivatives as a tool for the detection of heparin and heparan sulfates on surfaces by application to both heparin immobilized on polystyrene plates and heparan sulfate on cell surfaces.     

Degradation of matrix glycosaminoglycans by peroxynitrite/peroxynitrous acid: evidence for a hydroxyl-radical-like mechanism

The oxidant peroxynitrite/peroxynitrous acid (ONOO-/ONOOH) is generated at sites of inflammation via reaction of O2.- with .NO. Previous studies have shown that these species can oxidize cellular targets, but few data are available on damage to extracellular matrix and its components, despite evidence for matrix modification in a number of pathologies. In the current study we show that reaction of ONOO-/ONOOH with glycosaminoglycans results in extensive polymer fragmentation. Bolus authentic ONOO-/ONOOH modifies hyaluronan, heparin, and chondroitin, dermatan, and heparan sulfates, in a concentration-dependent, but O2-independent, manner. The ONOO-/ONOOH generator 3-(4-morpholinyl)sydnoneimine produces similar time- and concentration-dependent damage. These reactions generate specific polymer fragments via cleavage at disaccharide intervals. Studies at different pH values, and in the presence of bicarbonate, are consistent with ONOOH, rather than the carbonate adduct, CO3.- or ONOO-, being the source of damage. EPR spin trapping experiments have provided evidence for the formation of carbon-centered radicals on glycosaminoglycans and related monosaccharides; the similarity of these spectra to those obtained with authentic HO. is consistent with fragmentation being induced by this oxidant. These data suggest that extracellular matrix fragmentation at sites of inflammation may be due, in part, to the formation and reactions of ONOOH.     

The Responses of Hyperglycemic Dividing Mesangial Cells to Heparin Are Mediated by the Non-reducing Terminal Trisaccharide

Our previous studies showed: (i) that growth-arrested G₀/G₁ rat mesangial cells stimulated to divide in hyperglycemic medium initiate intracellular hyaluronan synthesis that induces autophagy and the cyclin D3-induced formation of a monocyte-adhesive extracellular hyaluronan matrix after completing cell division; and (ii) that heparin inhibits the intracellular hyaluronan and autophagy responses, but after completing division, induces hyaluronan synthesis at the plasma membrane with the formation of a larger monocyte-adhesive hyaluronan matrix. This study shows: (i) that the non-terminal trisaccharide of heparin is sufficient to initiate the same responses as intact heparin, (ii) that a fully sulfated tetrasaccharide isolated from bacterial heparin lyase 1 digests of heparin that contains a Δ-2S-iduronate on the non-reducing end does not initiate the same responses as intact heparin, and (iii) that removal of the Δ-2S-iduronate to expose the fully sulfated trisaccharide (GlcNS(6S)-IdoUA(2S)-GlcNS(6S)) does initiate the same responses as intact heparin. These results provide evidence that mammalian heparanase digestion of heparin and heparan sulfate exposes a cryptic motif on the non-reducing termini that is recognized by a receptor on dividing cells.