The ruminant parasite Haemonchus contortus expresses an α1,3-fucosyltransferase capable of synthesizing the Lewis x and sialyl Lewis x antigens

Glycoproteins from the ruminant helminthic parasite Haemonchus contortus react with Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin, which are plant lectins that recognize α1,3-fucosylated GlcNAc and terminal β-GalNAc residues, respectively. However, parasite glycoconjugates are not reactive with Ricinus communis agglutinin, which binds to terminal β-Gal, and the glycoconjugates lack the Lewis x (Lex) antigen or other related fucose-containing antigens, such as sialylated Lex, Lea, Leb Ley, or H-type 1. Direct assays of parasite extracts demonstrate the presence of an α1,3-fucosyltransferase (α1,3FT) and β1,4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (β1,4GalNAcT), but not β1,4-galactosyltransferase. The H. contortus α1,3FT can fucosylate GlcNAc residues in both lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) Galα1→4GlcNAcβ1→3Galβ1→4Glc to form lacto-N-fucopentaose III Galβ1→ 4[Fucα1→3]GlcNAcβ1→3Galβ1→4Glc, which contains the Lex antigen, and the acceptor lacdiNAc (LDN) GalNAcβ1→4GlcNAc to form GalNAcβ1→4[Fucα1 →3]GlcNAc. The α1,3FT activity towards LNnT is dependent on time, protein, and GDP-Fuc concentration with a Km 50 μ M and a Vmax of 10.8 nmol-mg?1 h?1. The enzyme is unusually resistant to inhibition by the sulfhydryl-modifying reagent N-ethylmaleimide. The α1,3FT acts best with type-2 glycan acceptors (Galβ1→4GlcNAcβ1-R) and can use both sialylated and non-sialylated acceptors. Thus, although in vitro the H. contortus α1,3FT can synthesize the Lex antigen, in vivo the enzyme may instead participate in synthesis of fucosylated LDN or related structures, as found in other helminths.     

Design and synthesis of a new sialyl Lewis X mimetic: how selective are the selectin receptors?

The present paper reports the molecular modeling-based design and synthesis of an optically pure noncarbohydrate mimetic of sialyl Lewis X to inhibit E-selectin. Biological evaluation of the designed substance as well as that of its enantiomer gave, contrary to expectations, comparable IC50 values. Results are discussed in terms of receptor binding specificity and the molecular modeling protocol used.     

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine increases sialyl Lewis X on MUC1 by stimulating β-galactoside:α2,3-sialyltransferase 6 gene

Sialyl Lewis X is a tumor-associated antigen frequently found in the advanced cancers. However, the mechanism for the production of this cancer antigen is not entirely clear. The objective of this study is to examine whether epigenetics is involved in the regulation of the formation of this antigen. We observed an increase of sialyl Lewis X in HCT15 cells, a colon cancer cell line, treated with 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine. This treatment enhanced the expression of β-galactoside:α2,3-sialyltransferase 6 gene and sialyl Lewis X on MUC1, and the adherence of these cells to E-selectin under dynamic flow conditions. In addition, 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment inhibited methylation of β-galactoside:α2,3-sialyltransferase 6 gene and siRNA knockdown of this gene drastically reduced sialyl Lewis X without affecting MUC1 expression. We conclude that 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment increases sialyl Lewis X on MUC1 by stimulating the β-galactoside:α2,3-sialyltransferase 6 gene via inhibition of DNA methylation. Increased sialyl Lewis X by 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine raises a concern about the safety of this chemotherapeutic drug. In addition, β-galactoside:α2,3-sialyltransferase 6 gene may be a potential therapeutic target for suppressing tumorigenicity of colon cancer.     

Flow cytometric analysis of sialyl Lewis A antigen on human cancer cells by using F(ab')2μ fragments prepared from a mouse IgM monoclonal antibody

F(ab')2 fragments, herein designated as F(ab')2μ fragments, were prepared from a mouse IgM monoclonal antibody specific to sialyl Lewis A antigen. The fragments were applied to flow cytometry to analyze the antigen on human cancer cells. The binding of the fragments to the antigen-positive cells was stronger than that of the original IgM. The non-specific binding of the IgM antibody to the antigen-negative cells was much decreased by using the F(ab')2μ fragments. These results indicate that the F(ab')2μ fragments are more suitable than the original IgM monoclonal antibody in flow cytometric analysis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

小鼠Lewis肺癌原位模型的建立

目的利用Matrigel与Lewis制备细胞混悬液注射于小鼠左肺内,建立小鼠Lewis肺癌原位模型,评价其肿瘤生长情况、转移情况,以期建立更稳定、更接近于人肺癌生长情况的小鼠肺癌原位模型。方法将处于对数生长期的Lewis肺癌细胞混悬于Matrigel中,接种于C57BL/6近交系小鼠左肺内。分别于第4、7、10、13、16天各处死5只小鼠,观察其局部成瘤率、肿瘤生长情况、中位生存期及肿瘤转移情况,并对各阶段小鼠行肺部,肝脏,肾脏,脾脏病理切片检查。结果术后第7天解剖的5只小鼠中,3只小鼠肺上可见小的瘤结节形成,其余2只肺上未见肉眼成瘤,行病理HE染色检查在显微镜下可见2只小鼠肺脏有小的瘤结节形成。术后第10天以后处死的所有小鼠肺上均有肉眼成瘤,术后第13天,所有小鼠肺原位成瘤并伴有血性胸腔积液、胸腔内转移。术后第25天,有1只小鼠出现上述转移的同时还出现了心包膜转移及肾脏远处转移。5只小鼠生存期分别为17 d、20 d、22 d、22 d、25 d,小鼠中位生存期为21.2 d（17~25 d）。成瘤率100%。结论利用Matrigel法成功建立小鼠Lewis肺癌原位模型,稳定性好,成瘤率高,并具有远处转移的特性,更接近于人肺癌的发生、发展过程。     

SARS冠状病毒感染Lewis大鼠模型的建立

目的通过观察SARS-CoV感染Lewis大鼠后,病理学、免疫学以及病毒的复制与外排情况变化,探讨其能否作为有效的SARS动物模型。方法SARS病毒感染9只Lewis大鼠,在感染后不同时间安乐死动物,应用光镜对动物的各脏器进行病理观察研究;用病毒分离和RT-PCR方法检测病毒外排与复制的情况;用ELISA法检测动物产生特异性抗体情况。结果在SARS-CoV感染Lewis大鼠后,肺组织出现一定的与人类SARS疾病相似的病理改变,在动物体内可检测到活病毒或病毒核酸,并可检测到特异性IgG抗体的存在。结论Lewis大鼠出现了特异的免疫反应及特征性病理改变,可做为灵长类SARS动物模型的有益补充用于SARS发病机理及疫苗的研发等。     

Lewis肺癌细胞与其衍生细胞系的比较

目的对比Lewis肺癌细胞(LLC)及LLC原位接种后获得的第一代衍生细胞(R1-LLC)和R1-LLC原位接种后获得的第二代衍生细胞(R2-LLC)间的生物学特性,比较该三种细胞在原位种植模型中的侵袭转移能力。方法离体实验:采用cck8法、克隆球形成实验、Tanswell侵袭试验分别检测细胞的增殖、侵袭能力,透射电镜观察细胞和组织的结构形态;活体实验:观察在7、14、21 d时LLC、R1-LLC、R2-LLC细胞分别原位种植模型中的成瘤与转移情况,统计成瘤率与成瘤时间。结果 LLC、R1-LLC、R2-LLC细胞的增殖能力差异无显著性(P0.05),侵袭能力R2-LLCR1-LLCLLC(P0.05)。活体实验显示LLC、R1-LLC、R2-LLC成瘤率分别为66.67%、80%、93.33%(P0.05)。结论在离体及活体实验中,R2-LLC比R1-LLC及LLC细胞具有更强的侵袭及转移特性。     

杀伤细胞对肺癌小鼠Lewis细胞增殖的抑制作用

目的:探讨杀伤细胞对人Lewis肺癌细胞增殖的抑制作用。方法:选择成年健康雄性ICR小鼠46只,随机选取10只作为正常对照组,其余36只进行模型复制,然后将造模成功的30只小鼠随机分为实验组与模型组,每组15只。实验组予以尾静脉注射杀伤细胞1×107个/0.2 m L,1次/d,模型组与对照组予尾静脉注射生理盐水。ELISA方法测定TNF-α、IL-2和IL-4的含量,采用流式细胞仪检测凋亡率,四氮唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测癌细胞抑制率。结果:1实验组小鼠右腋下瘤体重量明显低于模型组,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);2透射电镜下观察实验组人Lewis肺癌细胞出现大量凋亡,而模型组人Lewis肺癌细胞几乎未凋亡,与模型组比较,实验组细胞凋亡较多,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);3实验组小鼠脾上清液中IL-2、TNF-α和IFN-γ含量明显高于模型组和正常对照组小鼠,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论:杀伤细胞能够通过活化淋巴细胞、分泌细胞因子来抑制体内、体外人Lewis肺癌细胞的增殖和生长,对临床具有指导意义。     

山东胃癌高低发人群Lewis基因多态性分析

应用PCR产物直接测序的方法,检测山东省胃癌高发的临朐人群和低发的苍山人群中Lewis基因多态性T59G的分布,旨在探讨山东临朐和苍山地区胃癌发病率显著不同的内在原因,为阐明临朐地区胃癌高发的机制提供实验依据。结果表明,T59G突变个体在临朐和苍山人群中的分布频率分别为34.5%和31.6%,差别无统计学意义,P＞0.05,OR为1.14 （95% CI,0.59~2.19）。提示就此点突变而言,临朐人群和苍山人群为同一人群,具有极其相似的遗传背景;T59G不能作为区分临朐和苍山人群的遗传标志,与这两个地区胃癌发病的区别没有相关性。 Abstract:To explore the cause leading to the difference in incidence of gastric cancer between Linqu and Cangshan populations,Shandong Province,and to provide evidence for the possible mechanism of high incidence of gastric cancer in Linqu County,the distribution of T59G mutation in Lewis gene was screened between Linqu and Cangshan populations by PCR-sequencing.The frequency of individuals with T59G mutation was 34.5% in Linqu population and 31.6% in Cangshan population,respectively,with no significant difference,P＞0.05,and OR is 1.14 (95% CI,0.59~2.19).This suggests that Linqu and Cangshan populations may share the same genetic background.T59G mutation of Lewis gene could not be used as a genetic marker for Linqu and Cangshan populations and is not relevant to the difference in incidence of gastric cancer between them.     

Human trachea primary epithelial cells express both sialyl(α2-3)Gal receptor for human parainfluenza virus type 1 and avian influenza viruses, and sialyl(α2-6)Gal receptor for human influenza viruses

We reported previously that the dominant receptors of influenza A and B viruses, and human and murine respiroviruses, were sialylglycoproteins and gangliosides containing monosialo-lactosamine type I-and II-residues, such as sialic acid-α2-3(6)-Galβ1-3(4)-GlcNAcβ1-. In addition, the Siaα2-3Gal linkage was predominantly recognized by avian and horse influenza viruses, and human parainfluenza virus type 1 (hPIV-1), whereas the Siaα2-6Gal linkage was mainly recognized by human influenza viruses (Paulson JC in “The Receptors' [Conn M Ed] 2, 131–219 (1985); Suzuki Y, Prog Lipid Res 33, 429–57 (1994); Ito T, J Virol 73, 6743–51 (2000); Suzuki Y, J Virol 74, 11825–31 (2000); Suzuki T, J. Virol 75, 4604–4613 (2001); Suzuki Y, Biol. Pharm. Bull. 28, 399–408 (2005)). To clarify the distribution of influenza virus receptors on the human bronchial epithelium cell surface, we investigated a primary culture of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells using two types of lectin (MAA and SNA), which recognize sialyl linkages (α2-3 and α2-6), using fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis. The results showed that both α2-3- and α2-6-linked Sias were expressed on the surface of primary human bronchial epithelial cells. The cells infected by hPIV-1 bound to MAA, confirming that cells targeted by hPIV-1 have α2-3-linked oligosaccharides. We also compared the ability of hPIV-1 and human influenza A virus to infect primary human bronchial epithelial cells pre-treated with Siaα2-3Gal-specific sialidase from Salmonella typhimurium. No difference was observed in the number of sialidase pre-treated and non-treated cells infected with human influenza A virus, which binds to Siaα2-6Gal-linked oligosaccharides. By contrast, the number of cells infected with hPIV-1 decreased significantly upon sialidase treatment. Thus, cultured NHBE cells showed both α2-3-linked Sias recognized by hPIV-1 and avian influenza virus receptors, and α2-6-linked Sias recognized by human influenza virus receptors.     

Glycosylation ofα 1 glycoprotein in septic shock: Changes in degree of branching and in expression of sialyl Lewisx groups

The occurrence of differences in acute-phase response, with respect to concentration and glycosylation of ₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP) was studied in the sera of patients surviving or not from septic shock. Crossed affino-immunoelectrophoresis was used with concanavalin A andAleuria aurantia lectin for the detection of the degree of branching and fucosylation, respectively, and the monoclonal CSLEX-1 for the detection of sialyl Lewis^x (SLeX) groups on AGP. Septic shock apparently induced an acute-phase response as indicated by the increased serum levels and changed glycosylation of AGP. In the survivor group a transient increase in diantennary glycan content was accompanied by a gradually increasing fucosylation and SLeX expression, comparable to those observed in the early phase of an acute-inflammatory response. Remarkably, in the non-survivor group a modest increase in diantennary glycan content was accompanied by a strong elevation of the fucosylation of AGP and the expression of SLeX groups on AGP, typical for the late phase of an acute-phase response. Our results suggest that these changes in glycosylation of AGP can have a prognostic value for the outcome of septic shock.Abbreviations AAL Aleuria aurantia lectin - AGP ₁-acid glycoprotein - CAIE crossed affinoimmunoelectrophoresis - Con A Concanavalin A - HSPC human serum protein calibrator - IL-1 interleukin 1 - IL-6 interleukin 6 - LIF leukaemia inhibitory factor - LPS lipopolysaccharide - SLeX sialyl Lewis^x - TNF tumour necrosis factor     

VEGF反义寡核苷酸抑制小鼠Lewis肺癌生长的研究

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)反义寡核苷酸对C57BL/6小鼠Lewis肺癌肿瘤生长的抑制作用。方法制备C57BL/6小鼠皮下肺癌模型30只,随机分为3组,每组10只VEGF反义寡核苷酸(ASPODN)治疗组、VEGF正义寡核苷酸(SPODN)治疗组及对照组。接种Lewis肺癌细胞后24h内,分别皮下注射ASPODN及SPODN进行治疗,对照组只注射生理盐水,每周2次,连续4周;观察各组小鼠肿瘤的生长情况、游标卡尺测量肿瘤体积大小。所有C57BL/6小鼠于接种后第25天先用二维超声观察肿瘤的实时图象,利用脉冲多普勒获取血流频谱,获得收缩期峰值速度(PS),阻力指数(RI)。断颈处死小鼠,光镜及电镜下观察肿瘤组织形态学改变及超微结构变化,免疫组化法检测微血管密度(MVD)。结果与对照组瘤重比较(7.83±0.78)g、VEGF-ASPODN组(4.49±0.43)g能明显抑制小鼠肿瘤生长(P<0.01)、VEGF-SPODN组(7.73±0.69)g则无明显作用(P>0.05)。VEGF-ASPODN组、VEGF-SPODN组抑瘤率分别为42.7%、5.9%。组织形态学及超微结构观察,VEGF-ASPODN对肿瘤生长具有抑制作用。VEGF-ASPODN组与对照组相比较PS及RI有明显差异(P<0.01);VEGF-SPODN组与对照组相比无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论肿瘤原位注射VEGF反义寡核苷酸能抑制小鼠肺癌生长。     

Cloning and characterization of a viral α2-3-sialyltransferase (vST3Gal-I) for the synthesis of sialyl Lewisx

Sialyl Lewis(x) (SLe(x), Siaα2-3Galβ1-4(Fucα1-3)GlcNAcβOR) is an important sialic acid-containing carbohydrate epitope involved in many biological processes such as inflammation and cancer metastasis. In the biosynthetic process of SLe(x), α2-3-sialyltransferase-catalyzed sialylation generally proceeds prior to α1-3-fucosyltransferase-catalyzed fucosylation. For the chemoenzymatic synthesis of SLe(x) containing different sialic acid forms, however, it would be more efficient if diverse sialic acid forms are transferred in the last step to the fucosylated substrate Lewis(x) (Le(x)). An α2-3-sialyltransferase obtained from myxoma virus-infected European rabbit kidney RK13 cells (viral α2-3-sialyltransferase (vST3Gal-I)) was reported to be able to tolerate fucosylated substrate Le(x). Nevertheless, the substrate specificity of the enzyme was only determined using partially purified protein from extracts of cells infected with myxoma virus. Herein we demonstrate that a previously reported multifunctional bacterial enzyme Pasteurella multocida sialyltransferase 1 (PmST1) can also use Le(x) as an acceptor substrate, although at a much lower efficiency compared to nonfucosylated acceptor. In addition, N-terminal 30-amino-acid truncated vST3Gal-I has been successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli Origami? B(DE3) cells as a fusion protein with an N-terminal maltose binding protein (MBP) and a C-terminal His(6)-tag (MBP-Δ30vST3Gal-I-His(6)). The viral protein has been purified to homogeneity and characterized biochemically. The enzyme is active in a broad pH range varying from 5.0 to 9.0. It does not require a divalent metal for its α2-3-sialyltransferase activity. It has been used in one-pot multienzyme sialylation of Le(x) for the synthesis of SLe(x) containing different sialic acid forms with good yields.     

Overexpression of α2,3sialyl T-antigen in breast cancer determined by miniaturized glycosyltransferase assays and confirmed using tissue microarray immunohistochemical analysis

Glycan structure alterations during cancer regulate disease progression and represent clinical biomarkers. The study determined the degree to which changes in glycosyltransferase activities during cancer can be related to aberrant cell-surface tumor associated carbohydrate structures (TACA). To this end, changes in sialyltransferase (sialylT), fucosyltransferase (fucT) and galactosyltransferase (galT) activity were measured in normal and tumor tissue using a miniaturized enzyme activity assay and synthetic glycoconjugates bearing terminal LacNAc Type-I (Galβ1-3GlcNAc), LacNAc Type-II (Galβ1-4GlcNAc), and mucin core-1/Type-III (Galβ1-3GalNAc) structures. These data were related to TACA using tissue microarrays containing 115 breast and 26 colon cancer specimen. The results show that primary human breast and colon tumors, but not adjacent normal tissue, express elevated β1,3GalT and α2,3SialylT activity that can form α2,3SialylatedType-IIIglycans (Siaα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAc). Prostate tumors did not exhibit such elevated enzymatic activities. α1,3/4FucT activity was higher in breast, but not in colon tissue. The enzymology based prediction of enhanced α2,3sialylated Type-III structures in breast tumors was verified using histochemical analysis of tissue sections and tissue microarrays. Here, the binding of two markers that recognize Galβ1-3GalNAc (peanut lectin and mAb A78-G/A7) was elevated in breast tumor, but not in normal control, only upon sialidase treatment. These antigens were also upregulated in colon tumors though to a lesser extent. α2,3sialylatedType-III expression correlated inversely with patient HER2 expression and breast metastatic potential. Overall, enzymology measurements of glycoT activity predict truncated O-glycan structures in tumors. High expression of the α2,3sialylated T-antigen O-glycans occur in breast tumors. A transformation from linear core-1 glycan to other epitopes may accompany metastasis.     

小鼠Lewis肺癌不同部位皮下移植瘤模型的比较

目的探究不同部位肺癌皮下移植瘤存在的差异,为肺癌研究者提供提供基础依据。方法将稳定表达虫萤光素酶的小鼠Lewis肺腺癌细胞(ll2-luc-m38)分别注射于C57 BL/6小鼠的右腋皮下、右腹股沟皮下、脚垫皮下,定期利用小动物活体成像系统观察小鼠皮下移植瘤成瘤情况及转移情况,观察不同部位荷瘤小鼠的生存时间和死亡率,肿瘤组织取材,采用石蜡包埋、切片、HE染色做出病理学诊断。并将小鼠处死后立即进行肺部组织固定、观察转移灶。对皮下移植瘤行切除术观察小鼠术后生存情况和转移情况。结果腋下组和腹股沟组成瘤时间较早,成瘤率为100%,脚垫组成瘤时间较晚,成瘤率为33%;腹股沟组和腋下组瘤体积增长迅速,其中腹股沟组瘤体积增长最快;接种后第21天腋下组70%的小鼠出现了肺转移,转移灶数目较多;腹股沟组50%小鼠出现肺转移,且转移灶数目较少;脚垫组小鼠未观察到肺转移灶。脚垫组小鼠死亡率最高。腹股沟组和腋下组小鼠可行皮下移植瘤切除术,术后存活率为100%。结论小鼠lewis肺癌皮下移植瘤模型中,腹股沟组和腋下组成瘤率高,可耐受移植瘤切除术,手术死亡风险低,便于监测,操作简单且可重复性高,其中腋下组转移性更好。