Inductive effect of hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system on lambda prophage

Hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XO) system is a classical system that can generate superoxide anions. The inductive effect of the HX-XO system for lambda prophage has been investigated in this study. The results showed that the system can induce lambda prophage from lysogenic state to lytic growth. The inductive effect was directly proportional to the concentration of HX and XO and inversely related to the time of preliminary incubation of HX with XO. The cell density of the lysogenic bacteria also greatly affected the inductive effect. The maximal PFU number of 2.9 x 10(4) PFU/ml was recorded at 0.86 mM HX, 1.6 x 10(-2) U/ml XO, and a cell density of 10(8) cells/ml. The inductive effect of the HX-XO system was inhibited in the suspensions by glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The results provide evidence that free radicals are the primary factors in the induction of lambda prophage in lysogenic bacteria.     

Cell adhesion and integrin expression are modulated by oxidative stress in EA.hy 926 cells

The effects of oxidative stress on integrin-mediated cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and related apoptosis were investigated using the EA.hy926 endothelial cells treated (or not) with two oxidants: the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system (HX/XO) or the tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) which both increased cell apoptosis. Cell adhesion onto vitronectin (Vn) and fibronectin (Fn) was increased at low concentrations of HX/XO (up to 5 mU/ml) or t-BHP (up to 125 microM) and prevented ROS-induced apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis of integrin expression showed that the expression of integrin alphav and alpha5 subunits was, respectively, increased and decreased. Cell adhesion inhibition experiments using function-blocking monoclonal antibodies against integrin subunits indicated that alphavbeta1 and alphavbeta3 integrins were involved in adhesion of cells to Vn, and alphavbeta3 integrin played a major role in oxidant-treated cells. For adhesion to Fn, alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta1 integrins were required for oxidant-treated cells. Taken together, the results suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced either by HX/XO or t-BHP could affect expression and/or activation of specific integrins in the interaction of EA.hy926 cells with ECM.     

Increased expression of the selectin ligand sialyl-Lewis(x) by biochemical engineering of sialic acids

Sialylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids plays an important role during development, regeneration and pathogenesis of several diseases. The precursor of all physiological sialic acids is N-acetyl-d-mannosamine. Using N-propanoyl mannosamine, a novel precursor of sialic acid, we showed earlier that sialic acids with a prolonged N-acyl side chain (e.g., N-propanoyl neuraminic acid) are incorporated into cell surface glycoconjugates. In this study, we report the structural and functional consequences of the incorporation of the nonphysiological sialic acid, N-propanoyl neuraminic acid, into glycoconjugates of HL60-I cells. These cells do not express UDP-GlcAc-2-epimerase, the key enzyme of the biosynthesis of N-acetyl-d-mannosamine. Therefore, they do not express sialyl-Lewis(x) structures and consequently do not bind to selectins. Application of N-acetyl-d-mannosamine leads to the expression of sialyl-Lewis(x) structures and to binding to selectins. Surprisingly, incorporation of N-propanoyl neuraminic acid into glycoconjugates of these cells leads to a dramatic increase of sialyl-Lewis(x) structures and to increased adhesion to selectins.     

Cell adhesion and integrin expression are modulated by oxidative stress in EA.hy 926 cells

The effects of oxidative stress on integrin-mediated cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and related apoptosis were investigated using the EA.hy926 endothelial cells treated (or not) with two oxidants: the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system (HX/XO) or the tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) which both increased cell apoptosis. Cell adhesion onto vitronectin (Vn) and fibronectin (Fn) was increased at low concentrations of HX/XO (up to 5 mU/ml) or t-BHP (up to 125 μM) and prevented ROS-induced apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis of integrin expression showed that the expression of integrin αv and α5 subunits was, respectively, increased and decreased. Cell adhesion inhibition experiments using function-blocking monoclonal antibodies against integrin subunits indicated that αvβ1 and αvβ3 integrins were involved in adhesion of cells to Vn, and αvβ3 integrin played a major role in oxidant-treated cells. For adhesion to Fn, α5β1 and αvβ1 integrins were required for oxidant-treated cells. Taken together, the results suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced either by HX/XO or t-BHP could affect expression and/or activation of specific integrins in the interaction of EA.hy926 cells with ECM.     

Actions of reactive oxygen species on AH/type 2 myenteric neurons in guinea pig distal colon

With conventional intracellular recording methods, we investigated the mechanism of actions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase (HX/XO) reactions on AH/type 2 myenteric neurons in the guinea pig distal colon. Of the 54 neurons to which HX/XO was applied, 32 neurons showed a transient membrane hyperpolarization(s) followed by a long-lasting membrane depolarization. Two additional groups of 10 myenteric neurons exhibited only a membrane hyperpolarization(s) or a late-onset membrane depolarization, respectively, and the remaining two neurons did not show any response to HX/XO. Analysis of changes of the input resistance induced by HX/XO indicated that suppression and augmentation of the conductance of Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels are the ionic mechanisms underlying the membrane hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively. The effects of HX/XO on myenteric neurons were mimicked by application of caffeine or H(2)O(2). The results suggest that OH(.), but neither H(2)O(2) nor O(2)(.-), is responsible for HX/XO-induced responses. The intracellular Ca(2+) store may be the acting site of ROS in colonic AH/type 2 neurons.     

Detection of Superoxide and Peroxynitrite in Model Systems and Mitochondria by the Luminol Analogue L-012

In the present study we investigated the specificity and sensitivity of the chemiluminescence (CL) dye and luminol analogue 8-amino-5-chloro-7-phenylpyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine-1,4-(2H,3H) dione (L-012) to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide in cell free systems as well as in isolated mitochondria. The results obtained by L-012 were compared with other CL substances such as luminol, lucigenin, coelenterazine and the fluorescence dye dihydroethidine. The results indicate that the L-012-derived chemiluminescence induced by superoxide from hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XO) or by 3-morpholino sydnonimine (SIN-1)-derived peroxynitrite largely depends on the incubation time. Irrespective of the experimental conditions, L-012-derived CL in response to HX/XO and SIN-1 was 10–100 fold higher than with other CL dyes tested. In a cell-free system, authentic peroxynitrite yielded a higher L-012-enhanced CL signal than authentic superoxide and the superoxide-induced signal in cell-free as well as isolated mitochondria increased in the presence of equimolar concentrations of nitrogen monoxide (NO). The superoxide signal/background ratio detected by L-012-enhanced CL in isolated mitochondria with blocked respiration was 7 fold higher than that obtained by the superoxide sensitive fluorescence dye dihydroethidine. We conclude that L-012-derived CL may provide a sensitive and reliable tool to detect superoxide and peroxynitrite formation in mitochondrial suspensions.     

Role of Cell Surface O-Linked Oligosaccharides in Adhesion of HL60 Cells to Fibronectin: Regulation of Integrin-Dependent Cell Adhesion by O-Linked Oligosaccharide Elongation

The adhesion of the myelogenous leukemia cell line, HL60, to fibronectin and its fragments, heparin binding fragment (40 kDa) and cell attachment fragment (120 kDa), was enhanced by culturing with benzyl-α-GalNAc (BZαGalNAc). Enhancement of cell adhesion to fibronectin was also observed on treatment of HL60 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). However, an additive effect of BZαGalNAc and TPA treatments was not observed. The expression of VLA4 and VLA5 did not change during treatment with BZαGalNAc or TPA. Cell adhesion to fibronectin before and after treatment with BZαGalNAc or TPA was inhibited by anti-VLA4 and anti-VLA5 monoclonal antibodies. Staining of the cells with Helix pomatia lectin demonstrated that culturing of the cells with BZαGalNAc blocked elongation of O-linked oligosaccharides on the cell surface and led to accumulation of GalNAc-O-Ser/Thr. Labeling of cell surface carbohydrates with [³H]-glucosamine followed by treatment with TPA revealed that O-glycosylated glycoproteins including CD43 were released from the cell surface during this treatment. These findings indicate that integrin-dependent cell adhesion, particularly VLA4- or VLA5-dependent cell adhesion, of HL60 cells is prevented with the extension of O-linked oligosaccharides and recovers with the disappearance of O-linked oligosaccharides from the cell surface.     

Inhibition of P-selectin-mediated cell adhesion by a sulfated derivative of sialic acid

P-selectin, a carbohydrate-binding cell adhesion molecule expressed on activated endothelial cells and platelets, plays a key role in the recruitment of leukocytes to inflammatory and hemorrhagic sites. It simultaneously recognizes a sialic acid-containing carbohydrate chain and the sulfated tyrosine residues of a specific counter-receptor expressed on the leukocyte surface. We examined the inhibitory effects of a synthetic sulfated derivative of sialic acid (NMSO3) on P-selectin-mediated cell adhesion and found the following: (1) P-selectin/IgG chimera bound to immobilized NMSO3. (2) The binding of P-selectin/IgG chimera to purified P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 was inhibited by soluble NMSO3. (3) The adhesion of HL60 cells to P-selectin-expressing CHO cells was inhibited by NMSO3. (4) NMSO3 inhibited P-selectin-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in monocytes and activated platelet-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in neutrophils. In conclusion, NMSO3 acts as a specific inhibitor for P-selectin-mediated cell adhesion and for adhesion-dependent leukocyte activation.     

Detection of superoxide and peroxynitrite in model systems and mitochondria by the luminol analogue L-012

In the present study we investigated the specificity and sensitivity of the chemiluminescence (CL) dye and luminol analogue 8-amino-5-chloro-7-phenylpyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine-1,4-(2H,3H) dione (L-012) to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide in cell free systems as well as in isolated mitochondria. The results obtained by L-012 were compared with other CL substances such as luminol, lucigenin, coelenterazine and the fluorescence dye dihydroethidine. The results indicate that the L-012-derived chemiluminescence induced by superoxide from hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XO) or by 3-morpholino sydnonimine (SIN-1)-derived peroxynitrite largely depends on the incubation time. Irrespective of the experimental conditions, L-012-derived CL in response to HX/XO and SIN-1 was 10-100 fold higher than with other CL dyes tested. In a cell-free system, authentic peroxynitrite yielded a higher L-012-enhanced CL signal than authentic superoxide and the superoxide-induced signal in cell-free as well as isolated mitochondria increased in the presence of equimolar concentrations of nitrogen monoxide (NO). The superoxide signal/background ratio detected by L-012-enhanced CL in isolated mitochondria with blocked respiration was 7 fold higher than that obtained by the superoxide sensitive fluorescence dye dihydroethidine. We conclude that L-012-derived CL may provide a sensitive and reliable tool to detect superoxide and peroxynitrite formation in mitochondrial suspensions.     

Inductive Effect of Hypoxanthine–Xanthine Oxidase System on Lambda Prophage

Hypoxanthine–xanthine oxidase (HX–XO) system is a classical system that can generate superoxide anions. The inductive effect of the HX–XO system for lambda prophage was investigated in this study. The results showed that the system can induce lambda prophage from the lysogenic state to lytic growth. The inductive effect was directly proportional to the concentration of HX and XO and inversely related to the time of preliminary incubation of HX with XO.The cell density of the lysogenic bacteria also greatly affected the inductive effect. The maximal PFU number of 2.9 × 10⁴ PFU/ml was recorded at 0.86 mM HX, 1.6 × 10^–2 U/ml XO, and a cell density of 10⁸ cells/ml. The inductive effect of the HX–XO system was inhibited in the suspensions by glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The results provide evidence that free radicals are the primary factors in the induction of lambda prophage in lysogenic bacteria.     

Ca2+ is mobilized by hydroxyl radical but not by superoxide in RTH-149 cells: the oxidative switching-on of Ca2+ signaling

Differential effects of superoxide and hydroxyl radical on intracellular calcium were investigated in trout hepatoma cells (RTH-149). [Ca2+]i variations were recorded using confocal imaging, fluo-3 loading, and exposure to various mixtures consisting of hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XO), and of sub-stimulatory concentrations of H2O2 and Cu2+ . No [Ca2+]i variation was found with HX/XO, a slight [Ca2+]i rise with a mixture of Cu2+ and HX/XO, a sustained rise with Cu2+ and H2O2, and the highest rise with Cu2+, H2O2 and HX/XO. Fluorimetric assay using dihydrorhodamine 123 revealed a correlation between the oxidizing power of a mixture and its effect on [Ca2+]i. The [Ca2+]i rise induced by Cu2+, H2O2 and HX/XO, was partially reduced in Ca2+ free medium or in the presence of SOD, converted into Ca2+ transient by verapamil, and almost abolished by the PLC inhibitor U73122 or in the presence of the hydroxyl radical quencher TEMPOL. Data indicate that Ca2+ is mobilized by hydroxyl radical but not by superoxide. The mechanism consists of PLC activation causing intracellular Ca2+ release, while Ca2+ entry potentiates Ca2+ release thus leading to sustained [Ca2+]i rise. A role of hydroxyl radicals in the oxidative switching-on of Ca2+ signaling is discussed.     

Role of cell surface oligosaccharides of mouse mammary tumor cell lines in cancer metastasis

Malignant transformation is associated with changes in the glycosylation of cell surface proteins and lipids. In tumor cells, alterations in cellular glycosylation may play a key role in their metastatic behaviour. In the present study, we have assessed the relationship between cell surface oligosaccharides and the metastasis ability of mouse mammary tumor cell lines 67NR and 4TO7. The cell surface oligosaccharides have been analyzed using specific binding assays with some plant lectins and the metastasis ability has been studied using transwell migration and invasion assays. In addition, we investigated the role of terminal sialic acids in the metastatic potential (cell adhesion on fibronectin, cell migration and invasion) in the 4TO7 cells on treatment with neuraminidase. The cell lines used in study have different metastasis abilities in vivo - the 67NR form primary tumors, but no tumor cells are detectable in any distant tissues, while cells of the 4TO7 line are able to spread to lung. In vitro metastasis experiments have revealed higher ability of adhesion, cell migration and invasion in the 4TO7 cells than the 67NR cells. Specific lectins binding assays show that the 4TO7 cells expressed more high-mannose type, multi-antennary complex-type N-glycans, beta-1,6-GlcNAc-branching, alpha-2,6-linked sialic acids, N-acetylgalactosamine and galactosyl(beta-1,3)-N-acetylgalactosamine. Removal of sialic acids on treatment with neuraminidase decreases adhesion, but increases the migration and has shown no significant change in the invasion ability of the 4TO7 cells. The study suggests that the sialic acids are not crucial for the cell migration and invasion in the 4TO7 cells. The findings provide the new insights in understanding the role of cell surface oligosaccharides in cancer metastasis.     

Structure and role of sialic acids on the surface of Aspergillus fumigatus conidiospores

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes a life-threatening invasive fungal disease (invasive aspergillosis, IA) in immunocompromised individuals. The first step of pathogenesis is thought to be the attachment of conidia to proteins in lung tissue. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that conidia adhere to basal lamina proteins via negatively charged sugars on their surface, presumably sialic acids. Sialic acids are a family of more than 50 substituted derivatives of a nine-carbon monosaccharide, neuraminic acid. The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to determine the structure of sialic acids and the glycan acceptor on A. fumigatus oligosaccharides and (2) to determine the effect on the removal of sialic acids from conidia on conidial binding to the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin and phagocytosis of conidia by cultured macrophages and type 2 pneumocytes. Surface sialic acids were removed using Micromonospora viridifaciens sialidase or using acetic acid, mild acid hydrolysis. Lectin binding studies revealed that the majority of conidial sialic acids are alpha2,6-linked to a galactose residue. High-pressure liquid chromatography of derivatized sialic acids released from conidia revealed that unsubstituted N-acetylneuraminic acid is the predominant sialic acid on the surface of conidia. Enzymatic removal of sialic acid significantly decreased the binding of conidia to fibronectin by greater than 65% when compared with sham-treated controls. In addition, removal of sialic acids decreased conidial uptake by cultured murine macrophages and Type 2 pneumocytes by 33% and 53%, respectively. Hence, sialylated molecules on A. fumigatus conidia are ligands for both professional and nonprofessional phagocytes.     

Mechanism of dilation to reactive oxygen species in human coronary arterioles

We tested whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from treatment with xanthine (XA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) alter vascular tone of human coronary arterioles (HCA). Fresh human coronary arterioles (HCA) from right atrial appendages were cannulated for video microscopy. ROS generated by XA (10(-4) M) + XO (10 mU/ml) dilated HCA (99 +/- 1%, 20 min after application of XA/XO). This dilation was not affected by denudation or superoxide dismutase (150 U/ml). Catalase (500 U/ml or 5,000 U/ml) attenuated the dilation early on, but a significant latent vasodilation appeared after 5 min peaking at 20 min (51 +/- 1%, 20 min after application of XA/XO + 500 U/ml catalase, P < 0.01 vs. control). KCl (40 mM) reduced the early and sustained vasodilation to XA/XO in the absence of catalase but 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 5 x 10(-5) M), diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate (DDC, 10(-2) M), and deferoxamine (DFX, 10(-3) M) had no effect. In contrast, the catalase-resistant vasodilation was significantly attenuated by DDC, ODQ, and DFX as well as polyethylene-glycolated catalase (5,000 U/ml), but KCl had no effect. Confocal microscopy revealed that even in the presence of catalase, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluoresein diacetate fluorescence was observed in the vascular smooth muscle, but this was abolished by DDC. These data indicate that the exogenously generated superoxide anion (O2-*) by XA/XO is spontaneously converted to H2O2, which dilates HCA through vascular smooth muscle hyperpolarization. O2-* is also converted to H2O2 likely by superoxide dismustase within vascular cells and dilates HCA through a different pathway involving the activation of guanylate cyclase. These findings suggest that exogenously and endogenously produced H2O2 may elicit vasodilation by different mechanisms.     

P- and E-selectin use common sites for carbohydrate ligand recognition and cell adhesion

The selectins are a family of three calcium-dependent lectins that mediate adhesive interactions between leukocytes and the endothelium during normal and abnormal inflammatory episodes. Previous work has implicated the carbohydrate sialyl Lewis(x) (sLe(x); sialic acid alpha 2-3 galactose beta 1-4 [Fucose alpha 1-3] N-acetyl glucosamine) as a component of the ligand recognized by E- and P-selectin. In the case of P-selectin, other components of the cell surface, including 2'6-linked sialic acid and sulfatide (galactose-4-sulfate ceramide), have also been proposed for adhesion mediated by this selectin. We have recently defined a region of the E-selectin lectin domain that appears to be directly involved with carbohydrate recognition and cell adhesion (Erbe, D. V., B. A. Wolitzky, L. G. Presta, C. R. Norton, R. J. Ramos, D. K. Burns, R. M. Rumberger, B. N. N. Rao, C. Foxall, B. K. Brandley, and L. A. Lasky. 1992. J. Cell Biol. 119:215-227). Here we describe a similar analysis of the P-selectin lectin domain which demonstrates that a homologous region of this glycoprotein's lectin motif is involved with carbohydrate recognition and cell binding. In addition, we present evidence that is inconsistent with a biological role for either 2'6-linked sialic acid or sulfatide in P-selectin-mediated adhesion. These results suggest that a common region of the E- and P- selectin lectin domains appears to mediate carbohydrate recognition and cell adhesion.     

P-selectin and E-selectin. Distinct but overlapping leukocyte ligand specificities.

P-selectin on platelets and endothelial cells and E-selectin on endothelial cells are leukocyte receptors that recognize lineage-specific carbohydrates on neutrophils and monocytes. The proposed ligands for these receptors contain the Le(x) core and sialic acid. Since other investigators have shown that both E-selectin and P-selectin bind to sialylated Le(x), we evaluated whether E-selectin and P-selectin recognize the same counter-receptor on leukocytes. The interaction of HL60 cells with Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing P-selectin or E-selectin was studied. To determine whether a protein component is required in addition to sialyl Le(x) for either P-selectin or E-selectin recognition, HL60 cells or neutrophils were digested with proteases, including chymotrypsin, elastase, proteinase Glu-C, ficin, papain, or thermolysin. Cells treated with these proteases bound E-selectin but not P-selectin. Fucosidase or neuraminidase treatment of HL60 cells markedly decreased binding to both E-selectin- and P-selectin-expressing CHO cells. Growth of HL60 cells in tunicamycin inhibited the ability of these cells to support P-selectin-mediated binding and, to a lesser extent, E-selectin-mediated binding. Purified P-selectin inhibited CHO:P-selectin binding to HL60 cells, but incompletely inhibited CHO:E-selectin binding to HL60 cells. However, purified soluble E-selectin inhibited CHO:P-selectin and CHO:E-selectin binding to HL60 cells equivalently and completely. COS cells, unable to bind to E-selectin or P-selectin, bound E-selectin but not P-selectin upon transfection with alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase or alpha-1,3/1,4-fucosyltransferase. Similarly, LEC 11 cells expressing sialyl Le(x) bound E-selectin- but not P-selectin-expressing CHO cells. Sambucus nigra lectin, specific for the sialyl-2,6 beta Gal/GalNAc linkage, inhibited P-selectin but not E-selectin binding to HL60 cells. Although sialic acid and Le(x) are components of the P-selectin ligand and the E-selectin ligand, these results indicate that the ligands are related, having overlapping specificities, but are structurally distinct. A protein component containing sialyl Le(x) in proximity to sialyl-2,6 beta Gal structures on the P-selectin ligand may contribute to its specificity for P-selectin.     

Sialic acid functions in enterovirus 70 binding and infection

The interaction of viruses with host cell receptors is the initial step in viral infection and is an important determinant of virus host range, tissue tropism, and pathogenesis. The complement regulatory protein decay-accelerating factor (DAF/CD55) is an attachment receptor for enterovirus 70 (EV70), a member of the Picornaviridae, commonly associated with an eye infection in humans known as acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. In early work, the EV70 receptor on erythrocytes, responsible for its hemagglutinating activity, was shown to be sensitive to neuraminidase, implying an essential role for sialic acid in virus attachment. Here, we extend these results to show that cell surface sialic acid is required for EV70 binding to nucleated cells susceptible to virus infection and that sialic acid binding is important in productive infection. Through the use of site-directed mutagenesis to eliminate the single N-linked glycosylation site of DAF and of a chimeric receptor protein in which the O-glycosylated domain of DAF was replaced by a region of the HLA-B44 molecule, a role in EV70 binding for the sialic acid residues of DAF was excluded, suggesting the existence of at least one additional, sialylated EV70-binding factor at the cell surface. Treatment of cells with metabolic inhibitors of glycosylation excluded a role for the N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins but suggested that O-linked glycosylation is important for EV70 binding.     

Ligand recognition by influenza virus. The binding of bivalent sialosides.

Infection by influenza virus is initiated by a cellular adhesion event that is mediated by the viral protein, hemagglutinin, which is exposed on the surface of the virion. Hemagglutinin recognizes and binds to cell surface sialic acid residues. Although each individual ligand binding interaction is weak, the high affinity of influenza virus for cells that bear sialic acid residues is thought to result from a multivalent attachment process involving many similar recognition events. To evaluate such binding we have synthesized three series of compounds, each containing two sialic acid residues separated by spacers of different length, and have tested them as ligands for influenza hemagglutinin. No increased binding to the bromelain-released hemagglutinin ectodomain was seen for any of the bivalent compounds as determined by 1H NMR titration. In contrast, however, a spacer length between sialic acid residues of approximately 55 A sharply increases the binding of these bidentate species to whole virus as determined by hemagglutination inhibition assays. The most effective compound containing glycines in the linking chain displayed 100-fold increased affinity for whole virus over the paradigm monovalent ligand, Neu5Ac alpha 2Me.     

Resveratrol,a red wine constituent polyphenol,prevents superoxide-dependent inflammatory responses induced by ischemia/reperfusion,platelet-activating factor,or oxidants

Moderate consumption of red wine has been shown to exert cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion. Because oxidant-dependent leukocyte infiltration plays a critical role in ischemia/reperfusion-induced tissue injury, we hypothesized that resveratrol, a red wine constituent polyphenol would attenuate postischemic leukocyte recruitment and subsequent endothelial dysfunction. Intravital microscopic approaches were used to quantify leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions and venular protein leakage in rat mesenteries exposed to either 20 min ischemia and 60 min reperfusion (I/R), oxidants generated by the reaction of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase (HX/XO), platelet-activating factor (PAF), or leukotriene B4 (LTB4). I/R or HX/HX produced marked increases in the number of adherent (LA) and emigrated (LE) leukocytes, which were associated with significant increases in venular albumin leakage (VAL). Intravenous administration of resveratrol or superoxide dismutase (SOD) attenuated these increases in LA, LE, and VAL. Superfusion of the mesentery with PAF or LTB4 also markedly increased LA, LE, and VAL. While resveratrol attenuated the proinflammatory effects of PAF, LTB4-induced changes were not affected by resveratrol. Resveratrol prevents leukocyte recruitment and endothelial barrier disruption induced by a number of superoxide-dependent proinflammatory stimuli, including I/R, HX/XO, or PAF. These salutary effects appear to be related to the antioxidant properties of resveratrol and contribute to the cardioprotective actions associated with consumption of red wine.     

Regulation of Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein Binding by Sialylated Cis-Ligands

Abstract: Myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and Schwann cell myelin protein (SMP) are highly glycosylated members of a newly defined family of cell adhesion molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that recognize terminal sialic acid residues on N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. The importance of the N-linked oligosaccharides on MAG were determined by removal of the eight predicted carbohydrate addition sites by site-directed mutagenesis. The results suggest that all eight N-linked glycosylation sites are utilized in COS cells. N-linked glycosylation does not appear to be required for sialic acid-dependent MAG binding to erythrocytes. However, N-linked glycosylation of MAG does play a role in the proper folding of MAG. It was also shown that sialylation in the host cell expressing MAG and SMP could inhibit binding to erythrocytes. The degree to which SMP and MAG erythrocyte binding was affected by sialylation in the host cell was dependent on (a) the level at which MAG was expressed on the surface on the host cell and (b) the presence of MAG ligands on the host cell. The data suggest that cis -ligands on the host cell compete with trans -ligands on the target cell for the binding site(s) on MAG.