High-resolution separation of disaccharide and oligosaccharide alditols from chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate and hyaluronan using CarboPac PA1 chromatography

Quantification of hyaluronan (HA) using a simplified fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) procedure

Hyaluronan (HA) exhibits numerous important roles in physiology and pathologies, and these facts necessitate an ability to accurately and reproducibly measure its quantities in tissues and cell cultures. Our group previously reported a rigorous and analytical procedure to quantify HA (and chondroitin sulfate, CS) using a reductive amination chemistry and separation of the fluorophore-conjugated, unsaturated disaccharides unique to HA and CS on high concentration acrylamide gels. This procedure is known as fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) and has been adapted for the detection and quantification of all glycosaminoglycan types. While this previous FACE procedure is relatively straightforward to implement by carbohydrate research investigators, many nonglycoscience laboratories now studying HA biology might have difficulties establishing this prior FACE procedure as a routine assay for HA. To address this need, we have greatly simplified our prior FACE procedure for accurate and reproducible assessment of HA in tissues and cell cultures. This chapter describes in detail this simplified FACE procedure and, because it uses an enzyme that degrades both HA and CS, investigators will also gain additional insight into the quantities of CS in the same samples dedicated for HA analysis.

Determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC-UV

A liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection was developed for determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical formulation. Sodium hyaluronate is a polymer of disaccharides, composed of d-glucuronic acid and d-N-acetylglucosamine, linked via alternating β-1, 4 and β-1, 3 glycosidic bonds. Being a polymer compound it lacks a UV absorbing chromophore. In the absence of a UV absorbing chromophore and highly polar nature of compound, the analysis becomes a major challenge. To overcome these problems a novel method for the determination of sodium hyaluronate was developed and validated based on size exclusion liquid chromatography (SEC) with UV detection. An isocratic mobile phase consisting of buffer 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH adjusted to 7.0 using potassium hydroxide (10%) was used. Chromatography was carried out at 25 °C on a BioSep SEC S2000, 300 mm×7.8 mm column. The detection was carried out using variable wavelength UV-vis detector set at 205 nm. The compounds were eluted isocratically at a steady flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Sodium hyaluronate retention time was about 4.9 min with an asymmetry factor of 1.93. A calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 38 g/mL (r>0.9998). Within-day % RSD was 1.0 and between-day % RSD was 1.10. Specificity/selectivity experiments revealed the absence of interference from excipients, recovery from spiked samples for sodium hyaluronate was 99-102. The developed method was applied to the determination of sodium hyaluronate in pharmaceutical drug substance and product.

Dermatan 4-O-sulfotransferase 1 is pivotal in the formation of iduronic acid blocks in dermatan sulfate

Chondroitin/dermatan sulfate is a highly complex linear polysaccharide ubiquitously found in the extracellular matrix and at the cell surface. Several of its functions, such as binding to growth factors, are mediated by domains composed of alternating iduronic acid and 4-O-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine residues, named 4-O-sulfated iduronic acid blocks. These domains are generated by the action of two DS-epimerases, which convert D-glucuronic acid into its epimer L-iduronic acid, in close connection with 4-O-sulfation. In this study, dermatan sulfate structure was evaluated after downregulating or increasing dermatan 4-O-sulfotransferase 1 (D4ST-1) expression. siRNA-mediated downregulation of D4ST-1 in primary human lung fibroblasts led to a drastic specific reduction of iduronic acid blocks. No change of epimerase activity was found, indicating that the influence of D4ST-1 on epimerization is not due to an altered expression level of the DS-epimerases. Analysis of the dermatan sulfate chains showed that D4ST-1 is essential for the biosynthesis of the disulfated structure iduronic acid-2-O-sulfate-N-acetylgalactosamine-4-O-sulfate, thus confirmed to be strictly connected with the iduronic acid blocks. Also the biologically important residue hexuronic acid-N-acetylgalactosamine-4,6-O-disulfate considerably decreased after D4ST-1 downregulation. In conclusion, D4ST-1 is a key enzyme and is indispensable in the formation of important functional domains in dermatan sulfate and cannot be compensated by other 4-O-sulfotransferases.

Two dermatan sulfate epimerases form iduronic acid domains in dermatan sulfate

A second dermatan sulfate epimerase (DS-epi2) was identified as a homolog of the first epimerase (DS-epi1), which was previously described by our group. DS-epi2 is 1,222 amino acids long and has an approximately 700-amino acid N-terminal epimerase domain that is highly conserved between the two enzymes. In addition, the C-terminal portion is predicted to be an O-sulfotransferase domain. In this study we found that DS-epi2 has epimerase activity, which involves conversion of d-glucuronic acid to l-iduronic acid (EC 5.1.3.19), but no O-sulfotransferase activity was detected. In dermatan sulfate, iduronic acid residues are either clustered together in blocks or alternating with glucuronic acid, forming hybrid structures. By using a short interfering RNA approach, we found that DS-epi2 and DS-epi1 are both involved in the biosynthesis of the iduronic acid blocks in fibroblasts and that DS-epi2 can also synthesize the hybrid structures. Both iduronic acid-containing domains have been shown to bind to several growth factors, many of which have biological roles in brain development. DS-epi2 has been genetically linked to bipolar disorder, which suggests that the dermatan sulfate domains generated by a defective enzyme may be involved in the etiology of the disease.

Intermittent mechanical loading of articular cartilage explants modulates chondroitin sulfate fine structure

OBJECTIVE

Alterations in the sulfation pattern of chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains of proteoglycans have been associated with aging and degeneration of articular cartilage. The purpose of the present study was to investigate systematically the effect of load amplitudes, frequencies and load durations of intermittently applied mechanical pressure on the sulfation of CS chains of cultured bovine articular cartilage explants.

METHODS

Using a sinusoidal waveform of 0.5 Hz frequency, cyclic compressive pressure of 0.1-1.0 MPa was applied for 10s followed by a period of unloading lasting 10-1000 s. These intermittent loading protocols were repeated for a total duration of 1-6 days. Newly synthesized as well as endogenous CS chains were isolated, depolymerized and subsequently quantitated after fractionation by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography.

RESULTS

Increasing the mechanical demands on cartilage explants by elevating either the duration or the frequency of loading can significantly alter the fine structure of newly synthesized CS in that less chains terminate on galNAc4,6S and, in that simultaneously the ratio of the internal disaccharides DeltaDi6S to DeltaDi4S is increased. Similar results were obtained with explants being slightly mechanically challenged by low magnitudes of loads.

CONCLUSION

Our data show for the first time that intermittent loading of articular cartilage explants can significantly alter the sulfation pattern of the terminal CS residues as well as of the internal disaccharides. Furthermore, our results indicate that explants possess a physiological window of stress in which they are able to produce also a normal extracellular matrix.

The secreted serine protease xHtrA1 stimulates long-range FGF signaling in the early Xenopus embryo

We found that the secreted serine protease xHtrA1, expressed in the early embryo and transcriptionally activated by FGF signals, promotes posterior development in mRNA-injected Xenopus embryos. xHtrA1 mRNA led to the induction of secondary tail-like structures, expansion of mesoderm, and formation of ectopic neurons in an FGF-dependent manner. An antisense morpholino oligonucleotide or a neutralizing antibody against xHtrA1 had the opposite effects. xHtrA1 activates FGF/ERK signaling and the transcription of FGF genes. We show that Xenopus Biglycan, Syndecan-4, and Glypican-4 are proteolytic targets of xHtrA1 and that heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate trigger posteriorization, mesoderm induction, and neuronal differentiation via the FGF signaling pathway. The results are consistent with a mechanism by which xHtrA1, through cleaving proteoglycans, releases cell-surface-bound FGF ligands and stimulates long-range FGF signaling.

Hyaluronan synthesis induces microvillus-like cell surface protrusions

Hyaluronan synthases (HASs) are plasma membrane enzymes that simultaneously elongate, bind, and extrude the growing hyaluronan chain directly into extracellular space. In cells transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Has3, the dorsal surface was decorated by up to 150 slender, 3-20-microm-long microvillus-type plasma membrane protrusions, which also contained filamentous actin, the hyaluronan receptor CD44, and lipid raft microdomains. Enzymatic activity of HAS was required for the growth of the microvilli, which were not present in cells transfected with other GFP proteins or inactive GFP-Has3 mutants or in cells incubated with exogenous soluble hyaluronan. The microvilli induced by HAS3 were gradually withered by introduction of an inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis and rapidly retracted by hyaluronidase digestion, whereas they were not affected by competition with hyaluronan oligosaccharides and disruption of the CD44 gene, suggesting independence of hyaluronan receptors. The data bring out the novel concept that the glycocalyx created by dense arrays of hyaluronan chains, tethered to HAS during biosynthesis, can induce and maintain prominent microvilli.

Quantification of glycosaminoglycans by reversed-phase HPLC separation of fluorescent isoindole derivatives

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear polysaccharides made by all animal cells. GAGs bind to hundreds of proteins, such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, extracellular matrix components, protease inhibitors, proteases, and lipoprotein lipase, through carbohydrate and protein interactions. These interactions control many multicellular processes. The increased use of GAGs isolated from cells and small tissue samples in bioassays and binding experiments demands a sensitive and robust quantification method. We have developed such a method, which is based on a popular assay for amino acid analysis. We have refined it to enhance GAG quantification. It allows the quantification of glucosamine- and galactosamine-containing GAGs after the reversed-phase separation of their fluorescent isoindole derivatives. The derivatives are created by the reaction of o-phthaldialdehyde and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3MPA) with the amino group of hexosaminitol monosaccharides generated from GAG acid hydrolysis and sodium borohydride reduction. The advantages of our method include automatic derivitization, a simple chromatograph with clean separation of glucosaminitol and galactosaminitol derivatives from contaminating amino acids, excellent sensitivity with 0.04 pmol detection, and linearity from 2.5 to 1280 pmol. A major advantage is that it can be readily implemented in any laboratory with typical reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipment.

Parathyroid Hormone Rapidly Stimulates Hyaluronan Synthesis by Periosteal Osteoblasts in the Tibial Diaphysis of the Growing Rat

Short term treatment (3-24 h) with parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulated the synthesis and accumulation of hyaluronan (HyA) in explant cultures of tibial diaphyses from young rats. PTH increased the overall HyA content of periosteum 5-fold, with the basal cambium layer exhibiting the greatest enhancement ( approximately 8-fold). PTH increased the HyA content of cortical bone by 2-fold while not affecting the HyA content of bone marrow. PTH treatment greatly enhanced HyA staining throughout all layers of the periosteum, although its most dramatic effect occurred in the basal cambium layer. Here, unlike in the control tissue sections, nearly all cambium-lining osteoblasts stained intensely positive for HyA. PTH treatment enhanced the HyA staining of osteocytes in cortical bone tissue sections to the extent that the lacunocanalicular system became visualized. Three significant findings were revealed in this study. First, mature periosteal osteoblasts, under natural conditions, do not contain much HyA in their surrounding extracellular matrix but dramatically enhance their matrix HyA content when treated with PTH. Second, pre-osteocytes and osteocytes contain more HyA in their natural matrix than mature lining osteoblasts, and they appear to have functional PTH receptors because they responded to PTH treatment with an enhancement of HyA content. Finally, it was observed that the lining cells along the endosteal surface of the diaphysis did not stain strongly positive for HyA either naturally or when exposed to PTH treatment. This indicates that periosteal and endosteal osteoblastic cell populations exhibit metabolic differences in their extracellular matrix responses to PTH.

The sulfation pattern of chondroitin sulfate from articular cartilage explants in response to mechanical loading

Chondrocytes within articular cartilage experience complete unloading between loading cycles thereby utilizing mechanical signals to regulate their own anabolic and catabolic activities. Structural alterations of proteoglycans (PGs) during aging and the development of osteoarthritis (OA) have been reported; whether these can be attributed to altered load or compression is largely unknown. We report here on experiments in which the effect of intermittent loading on the fine structure of newly synthesized chondroitin sulfate (CS) in bovine articular cartilage explants was examined. Tissues were subjected for 6 days to cyclic compressive pressure using a sinusoidal waveform of 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 Hz frequency with a peak stress of 0.5 MPa for a period of 5, 10 or 20 s, followed by an unloading period lasting 10, 100 or 1000 s. During the final 18 h of the culture, cartilage explants were radiolabeled with 50 microCi/ml D-6-[3H]glucosamine, and newly synthesized as well as endogenous CS chains were isolated after proteinase solubilization of the tissue. CS chains were depolymerized with chondroitinase ABC and ACII, and the 3H-digestion products were quantified after fractionation by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography using a CarboPac PA1 column. Intermittently applied cyclic mechanical loading did not affect the proportion of 4- and 6-sulfated disaccharide repeats, but caused a significant decrease in the abundance of the 4,6-disulfated nonreducing terminal galNAc residues. In addition, loading induced elongation of CS chains. Taken together, these data provide evidence for the first time that long-term in vitro loading results in marked and reproducible changes in the fine structure of newly synthesized CS, and that accumulation of such chains may in turn modify the physicochemical and biological response of articular cartilage. Moreover, data presented here suggest that in vitro dynamic compression of cartilage tissue can induce some of the same alterations in CS sulfation that have previously been shown to occur during the development of degenerative joint diseases such as OA.

Chromatographic methods for product-profile analysis and isolation of oligosaccharides produced by heparinase-catalyzed depolymerization of heparin

A two-dimensional chromatography method for monitoring the formation of oligosaccharides produced by heparinase-catalyzed depolymerization of heparin is reported. In the first step of the two-dimensional method, the depolymerized heparin is size-fractionated by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). The size-uniform fractions are then separated on the basis of charge by strong anion-exchange (SAX) HPLC on a high resolution CarboPac PA1 column. To demonstrate application of the two-dimensional product-profile analysis method, data are presented for the heparinase I-catalyzed depolymerization of heparin in the absence and presence of histamine, a ligand that binds site-specifically to heparin. Results from the two-dimensional analysis indicate that histamine alters the extent of depolymerization and the product-profiles for the tetrasaccharide and hexasaccharide fractions. The use of CarboPac PA1 columns for the semi-preparative scale separation of oligosaccharides in size-uniform fractions isolated from depolymerized heparin by low-pressure (gravity flow) GPC is also reported. The semi-preparative scale CarboPac PA1 column gives high resolution and excellent reproducibility after repeated use over an extended period of time, making it possible to reliably combine fractions from multiple separations. The oligosaccharides are eluted from the CarboPac PA1 column with a NaCl gradient at relatively low pH (3 or 7) where they are stable. An efficient two-step procedure is described for desalting oligosaccharides separated

Epidermal growth factor activates hyaluronan synthase 2 in epidermal keratinocytes and increases pericellular and intracellular hyaluronan

Hyaluronan is an abundant and rapidly turned over matrix molecule between the vital cell layers of the epidermis. In this study, epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced a coat of hyaluronan and a 3-5-fold increase in its rate of synthesis in a rat epidermal keratinocyte cell line that has retained its ability for differentiation. EGF also increased hyaluronan in perinuclear vesicles, suggesting concurrent enhancement in its endocytosis. Cell-associated hyaluronan was most abundant in elongated cells that were stimulated to migrate by EGF, as determined in vitro in a wound healing assay. Large fluctuations in the pool size of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, the metabolic precursor of hyaluronan, correlated with medium glucose concentrations but not with EGF. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed no increase in hyaluronan synthases 1 and 3 (Has1 and Has3), whereas Has2 mRNA increased 2-3-fold in less than 2 h following the introduction of EGF, as estimated by quantitative RT-PCR with a truncated Has2 mRNA internal standard. The average level of Has2 mRNA increased from approximately 6 copies/cell in cultures before change of fresh medium, up to approximately 54 copies/cell after 6 h in EGF-containing medium. A control medium with 10% serum caused a maximum level of approximately 21 copies/cell at 6 h. The change in the Has2 mRNA levels and the stimulation of hyaluronan synthesis followed a similar temporal pattern, reaching a maximum level at 6 h and declining toward 24 h, a finding in line with a predominantly Has2-dependent hyaluronan synthesis and its transcriptional regulation.

Aggrecan structure in amphibian cartilage

The structure of the large proteoglycan present in the bullfrog epiphyseal cartilage was studied by immunochemical and biochemical methods. The isolated monomer showed a polydisperse behavior on Sepharose CL2B, with a peak at Kav = 0.14. Chondroitin sulfate chains were identified by HPLC analysis of the products formed by chondroitinase digestion and mercuric acetate treatment. These chains have approximately 38 disaccharides, a Di45:Di68 ratio of 1.6 and GalNAc4S + GalNAc4,6S are the main non-reducing terminals. Keratan sulfate was identified by the use of two monoclonal antibodies in Western blots after chondroitinase ABC treatment. A keratan sulfate-rich region (approximately 110 kDa) was isolated by sequential treatment with chondroitinase ABC and proteases. We also employed antibodies in Western blotting experiments and showed that the full length deglycosylated core protein is about 300 kDa after SDS-PAGE. Domain-specific antibodies revealed the presence of immunoreactive sites corresponding to G1/G2 and G3 globular domains and the characterization of this large proteoglycan as aggrecan. The results indicate the high conservation of the aggrecan domain structure in this lower vertebrate.

Increased incidence of unsulphated and 4-sulphated residues in the chondroitin sulphate linkage region observed by high-pH anion-exchange chromatography

We report the isolation, characterization and quantification of five octasaccharides, four hexasaccharides and two tetrasaccharides, derived from the chondroitin sulphate (CS) linkage region of 6-8-year-old bovine articular cartilage aggrecan, following digestion with chondroitin ABC endolyase. Using a novel high-pH anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) method, in conjunction with one- and two-dimensional (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, we have identified the following basic structure for the CS linkage region of aggrecan: DeltaUA(beta1-3)GalNAc[0S/4S/6S](beta1-4)GlcA(beta1-3)GalNAc[0S/4S/6S](beta1-4)GlcA(beta1-3)Gal[0S/6S](beta1-3)Gal(beta1-4)Xyl, where DeltaUA represents 4,5-unsaturated hexuronic acid, and 4S and 6S represent an O-ester sulphate group on C-4 and C-6 respectively. The octa-, hexa- and tetra-saccharide linkage region fragments were used to develop a HPAEC fingerprinting method, with detection at A(232 nm), and a linear response to approx. 0.1 nmol of substance. The sulphation patterns of CS linkage regions, of up to octasaccharide in size, from articular and tracheal cartilage aggrecan were examined. The results show that in articular cartilage, for the majority (53%) of octasaccharides the 2-deoxy-2-N-acetyl amino-D-galactose (GalNAc) residues closest to the linkage region are both 6-sulphated; however, in a significant portion (34%), one or more of these GalNAc residues are unsulphated, and in 8% both are unsulphated. Approximately 10-18% of the chains have a 4-sulphated GalNAc in the first disaccharide, and 12% have a sulphated linkage region Gal residue. No evidence was found for uronic acid sulphation. These data show that there is a significant increase in the incidence of unsulphated and 4-sulphated GalNAc residues adjacent to the linkage region compared with the rest of the chain. Bovine tracheal cartilage linkage regions displayed very similar sulphation profiles to those from articular cartilage, despite the presence of a higher level of GalNAc 4-sulphation within the repeat region of the main CS chain.

A fingerprinting method for chondroitin/dermatan sulfate and hyaluronan oligosaccharides

A previously published method for the analysis of glycosaminoglycan disaccharides by high pH anion exchange chromatography (Midura,R.J., Salustri,A., Calabro,A., Yanagishita,M. and Hascall,V.C. (1994), Glycobiology,4, 333-342) has been modified and calibrated for chondroitin and dermatan sulfate oligosaccharides up to hexasaccharide in size and hyaluronan oligosaccharides up to hexadecasaccharide. For hyaluronan oligosaccharides chain length controls elution position; however, for chondroitin and dermatan sulfate oligosaccharides elution times primarily depend upon the level of sulfation, although chain length and hence charge density plays a role. The sulfation position of GalNAc residues within an oligosaccharide is also important in determining its elution position. Compared to 4-sulfation a reducing terminal 6-sulfate retards elution; however, when present on an internal GalNAc residue it is the 4-sulfate containing oligosaccharide which elutes later. These effects allow discrimination between oligosaccharides differing only in the position of GalNAc sulfation. Using this simple methodology, a Dionex CarboPac PA-1 column with NaOH/NaCl eluents and detection by absorbance at 232 nm, a quantitative analytical fingerprint of a chondroitin/dermatan sulfate chain may be obtained, allowing a determination of the abundance of chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and hyaluronan along with an analysis of structural features with a linear response to approximately 0.1 nmol. The method may readily be calibrated using either commercial disaccharides or the di- and tetrasaccharide products of a limit digest of commercial chondroitin sulfate by chondroitin ABC endolyase. Commercially available and freshly prepared shark, whale, bovine, and human cartilage chondroitin sulfates have been examined by this methodology and we have confirmed that freshly isolated shark cartilage CS contains significant amounts of the biologically important GlcA2Sbeta(1-3)GalNAc6S structure.

Microanalysis of enzyme digests of hyaluronan and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE)

Hyaluronan and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate are glycosaminoglycans that play major roles in the biomechanical properties of a wide variety of tissues, including cartilage. A chondroitin/dermatan sulfate chain can be divided into three regions: (1) a single linkage region oligosaccharide, through which the chain is attached to its proteoglycan core protein, (2) numerous internal repeat disaccharides, which comprise the bulk of the chain, and (3) a single nonreducing terminal saccharide structure. Each of these regions of a chondroitin/dermatan sulfate chain has its own level of microheterogeneity of structure, which varies with proteoglycan class, tissue source, species, and pathology. We have developed rapid, simple, and sensitive protocols for detection, characterization and quantitation of the saccharide structures from the internal disaccharide and nonreducing terminal regions of hyaluronan and chondroitin/dermatan sulfate chains. These protocols rely on the generation of saccharide structures with free reducing groups by specific enzymatic treatments (hyaluronidase/chondroitinase) which are then quantitatively tagged though their free reducing groups with the fluorescent reporter, 2-aminoacridone. These saccharide structures are further characterized by modification through additional enzymatic (sulfatase) or chemical (mercuric ion) treatments. After separation by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis, the relative fluorescence in each band is quantitated with a cooled, charge-coupled device camera for analysis. Specifically, the digestion products identified are (1) unsaturated internal Deltadisaccharides including DeltaDiHA, DeltaDi0S, DeltaDi2S, DeltaDi4S, DeltaDi6S, DeltaDi2,4S, DeltaDi2,6S, DeltaDi4,6S, and DeltaDi2,4,6S; (2) saturated nonreducing terminal disaccharides including DiHA, Di0S, Di4S and Di6S; and (3) nonreducing terminal hexosamines including glcNAc, galNAc, 4S-galNAc, 6S-galNAc, and 4, 6S-galNAc.

The role of microtubules in the regulation of proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes under hydrostatic pressure

Chondrocytes of the articular cartilage sense mechanical factors associated with joint loading, such as hydrostatic pressure, and maintain the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix by regulating the metabolism of proteoglycans (PGs) and collagens. Intermittent hydrostatic pressure stimulates, while continuous high hydrostatic pressure inhibits, the biosynthesis of PGs. High continuous hydrostatic pressure also changes the structure of cytoskeleton and Golgi complex in cultured chondrocytes. Using microtubule (MT)-affecting drugs nocodazole and taxol as tools we examined whether MTs are involved in the regulation of PG synthesis in pressurized primary chondrocyte monolayer cultures. Disruption of the microtubular array by nocodazole inhibited [(35)S]sulfate incorporation by 39-48%, while MT stabilization by taxol caused maximally a 17% inhibition. Continuous hydrostatic pressure further decreased the synthesis by 34-42% in nocodazole-treated cultures. This suggests that high pressure exerts its inhibitory effect through mechanisms independent of MTs. On the other hand, nocodazole and taxol both prevented the stimulation of PG synthesis by cyclic 0. 5 Hz, 5 MPa hydrostatic pressure. The drugs did not affect the structural and functional properties of the PGs, and none of the treatments significantly affected cell viability, as indicated by the high level of PG synthesis 24-48 h after the release of drugs and/or high hydrostatic pressure. Our data on two-dimensional chondrocyte cultures indicate that inhibition of PG synthesis by continuous high hydrostatic pressure does not interfere with the MT-dependent vesicle traffic, while the stimulation of synthesis by cyclic pressure does not occur if the dynamic nature of MTs is disturbed by nocodazole. Similar phenomena may operate in cartilage matrix embedded chondrocytes.

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan core proteins in the interphotoreceptor matrix: a comparative study using biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis

This study characterizes the core proteins of chondroitin sulfate-type glycosaminoglycans located in the interphotoreceptor matrix and establishes the tissue distribution of chondroitin immunoreactivity in human, bovine, mouse and rat retinas. Monoclonal antibodies specific to unsulfated (DeltaDiOS), 4-sulfated (DeltaDi4S) and 6-sulfated (DeltaDi6S) chondroitin were employed. Retinal sections and IPM samples were either (a) digested with chondroitinase ABC to expose antibody specific epitopes, (b) double digested with chondroitinase ABC and chondroitinase AC II to remove specific epitopes, or (c) left undigested to evaluate mimotope labeling. In tissue sections from each species studied, positive immunoreactivity to the DeltaDi6S antibody was present in the IPM surrounding both rods and cones. In human and bovine, DeltaDi6S labeling of the cone matrix compartments was more intense than labeling of the matrix surrounding rods. Intense DeltaDi6S immunoreactivity was present surrounding the foveal cones. In mouse and rat, no differences in labeling intensity of IPM surrounding rod and cone photoreceptors were evident, although labeling of the IPM near the apical surface of the retinal pigment epithelium and around the photoreceptor inner segments was more pronounced than that surrounding the outer segments. All DeltaDi6S antibody labeling was eliminated with chondroitinase AC II digestion. No IPM immunoreactivity in tissue sections was observed when the DeltaDi0S or DeltaDi4S antibodies were used. In Western blots of IPM extracts treated with chondroitinase ABC, prominent DeltaDi6S immunoreactive bands were present at approximately 230 kD and 150 kD in each species studied, with the exception of the human, where the 150 kD component is not a chondroitin proteoglycan. Each of the prominent DeltaDi6S immunoreactive bands showed minor immunoreactivity to the DeltaDi4S antibody. No DeltaDi0S immunoreactivity was noted in Western blots of IPM samples from any species. All immunoreactivity was lost following chondroitinase AC II digestion. These observations document similarities in the electrophoretic mobility of IPM proteoglycan core proteins released following chondroitinase ABC digestion in the four species studied, but reveal pronounced differences in the tissue distribution. Bovine and human IPM show greater concentrations of DeltaDi6S immunoreactivity surrounding cones than rods, whereas rodent tissues show higher concentrations near the retinal pigment epithelium and around the photoreceptor inner segments than around the outer segments. The pattern of distribution of these proteoglycan molecules is highly conserved in these species, suggesting a common role in IPM structure and function.

Structurally Specific Heparan Sulfates Support Primitive Human Hematopoiesis by Formation of a Multimolecular Stem Cell Niche

Stem cell localization, conservation, and differentiation is believed to occur in niches in the marrow stromal microenvironment. Our recent observation that long-term in vitro human hematopoiesis requires a stromal heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) led us to hypothesize that such HSPG may orchestrate the formation of the stem cell niche. We compared the structure and function of HS from M2-10B4, a hematopoiesis-supportive cell line, with HS from a nonsupportive cell line, FHS-173-We. Long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) maintenance was enhanced by PG from supportive cells but not by PG from nonsupportive cells (P < .005). The supportive HS were significantly larger and more highly sulfated than the nonsupportive HS. Specifically, supportive HS contained higher 6-O-sulfation on the glucosamine residues. In agreement with these observations, purified 6-O-sulfated heparin and highly 6-O-sulfated bovine kidney HS similarly maintained LTC-IC. In contrast, completely desulfated heparin, N-sulfated heparin, and unmodified heparin did not support LTC-IC maintenance. Moreover, the supportive HS promoted LTC-IC maintenance but not differentiation of CD34+/HLA-DR−cells into colony-forming cells (CFCs) and mature blood cells. The supportive HS but not the nonsupportive HS bound both cytokines and matrix components critical for hematopoiesis, including interleukin-3 (IL-3), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), and thrombospondin (TSP). Significantly more CD34+ cells adhered directly to immobilized O-sulfated heparin than to N-sulfated or desulfated heparin. Thus, hematopoiesis-supportive stromal HSPG possessing large, highly 6-O-sulfated HS mediate the juxtaposition of hematopoietic progenitors with stromal cells, specific growth-promoting (IL-3) and growth-inhibitory (MIP-1 and platelet factor 4 [PF4]) cytokines, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as TSP. We conclude that the structural specificity of stromal HSPG that determines the selective colocalization of cytokines and ECM components leads to the formation of discrete niches, thereby orchestrating the controlled growth and differentiation of stem cells. These findings may have important implications for ex vivo expansion of and gene transfer into primitive hematopoietic progenitors.

Structurally Specific Heparan Sulfates Support Primitive Human Hematopoiesis by Formation of a Multimolecular Stem Cell Niche

Stem cell localization, conservation, and differentiation is believed to occur in niches in the marrow stromal microenvironment. Our recent observation that long-term in vitro human hematopoiesis requires a stromal heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) led us to hypothesize that such HSPG may orchestrate the formation of the stem cell niche. We compared the structure and function of HS from M2-10B4, a hematopoiesis-supportive cell line, with HS from a nonsupportive cell line, FHS-173-We. Long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) maintenance was enhanced by PG from supportive cells but not by PG from nonsupportive cells (P < .005). The supportive HS were significantly larger and more highly sulfated than the nonsupportive HS. Specifically, supportive HS contained higher 6-O-sulfation on the glucosamine residues. In agreement with these observations, purified 6-O-sulfated heparin and highly 6-O-sulfated bovine kidney HS similarly maintained LTC-IC. In contrast, completely desulfated heparin, N-sulfated heparin, and unmodified heparin did not support LTC-IC maintenance. Moreover, the supportive HS promoted LTC-IC maintenance but not differentiation of CD34+/HLA-DR−cells into colony-forming cells (CFCs) and mature blood cells. The supportive HS but not the nonsupportive HS bound both cytokines and matrix components critical for hematopoiesis, including interleukin-3 (IL-3), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1), and thrombospondin (TSP). Significantly more CD34+ cells adhered directly to immobilized O-sulfated heparin than to N-sulfated or desulfated heparin. Thus, hematopoiesis-supportive stromal HSPG possessing large, highly 6-O-sulfated HS mediate the juxtaposition of hematopoietic progenitors with stromal cells, specific growth-promoting (IL-3) and growth-inhibitory (MIP-1 and platelet factor 4 [PF4]) cytokines, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as TSP. We conclude that the structural specificity of stromal HSPG that determines the selective colocalization of cytokines and ECM components leads to the formation of discrete niches, thereby orchestrating the controlled growth and differentiation of stem cells. These findings may have important implications for ex vivo expansion of and gene transfer into primitive hematopoietic progenitors.

Structural analysis of proteoglycans synthesized by mineralizing bone cells in vitro in the presence of fluoride

This study investigated the biochemical structure of proteoglycans synthesized during matrix maturation by mineralizing bone cells in vitro, in the presence and absence of fluoride. Bone cells were obtained from rat femur washes and cultured in alpha MEM media supplemented with fetal calf serum, ascorbic acid, beta-glycerophosphate and dexamethasone. Cells were characterized as osteoblast-like by the expression of alkaline phosphatase activity and the synthesis of collagen type I and osteocalcin. Fluoride, present in the culture media at concentrations of 10(-5) M or 10(-7) M, had negligible effect on cell viability. However, calcium deposition was increased in cell cultures incubated in the presence of fluoride. Proteoglycans were extracted from the extracellular matrix with 4 M guanidinium chloride and purified by anion exchange chromatography. Biochemical analysis identified the presence of the small leucine rich proteoglycan, decorin and biglycan, in addition to degradation products relating to the larger chondroitin sulphate protoeglycan, versican. Fluoride had little effect on the size or amino acid composition of the protein core, but resulted in significant alterations to the GAG chains, including a dramatic reduction in chain length, reduction in sulphation and decrease in the proportion of dermatan sulphate compared to chondroitin sulphate. The influence of fluoride on proteoglycan structure synthesized by mineralizing bone cells provides valuable information, indicating specific roles for dermatan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans. The results suggested that fluoride affected the post-translational assembly of the GAG chains which may be an influential factor in the mineralization process.

Chondrocytes in culture produce a mechanically functional tissue

A mechanically testable tissue was grown in vitro from rabbit chondrocytes that were initially plated at high density (approximately 80,000 cells/cm2). The DNA, collagen, and proteoglycan content, as well as the tissue thickness, tensile stiffness, and synthesis rates, were measured at 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The biochemical properties were similar to those for immature cartilage, with predominantly type-II collagen produced; this indicated that the cells retained their chondrocytic phenotype. The tissue formed a coherent mechanical layer with testable tensile stiffness as early as 4 weeks. The tensile elastic modulus reached 1.3 MPa at 8 weeks, which is in the range of values for native cartilage from the midzone. Collagen density was approximately 24 mg/ml at 8 weeks, which is about one-half the value for native cartilage, and the collagen fibril diameters were smaller. Chondrocytes in culture responded to culture conditions and were stimulated by cytokine interleukin-1beta. When culture conditions were varied to RPMI nutrient medium with lower fetal bovine serum and higher ascorbic acid concentrations, the thickness decreased and the modulus increased significantly. Interleukin-1beta, added to the 8-week culture for 2 weeks, caused a decrease of 60% in thickness, a decrease of 81% in proteoglycan content, and a decrease of 31% in collagen content; this is similar to the response of cartilage explants to interleukin-1beta. This cartilage analog may be useful as a model system to study structure-function relationships in cartilage or as cartilage-replacement tissue.

Differential effects of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-hemolysin on the synthesis of hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate by rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes

The plasma membranes of rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes were permeabilized by treatment with alpha-hemolysin, the major toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus, which forms small, stable, heptameric, transmembrane pores (1-2 nm in diameter) permitting influx/efflux of low-molecular-mass molecules (< or = 2000 Da). Treated chondrocytes were permeable to entry of trypan blue and exit of ATP. We describe the effects of alpha-hemolysin on the synthesis of hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) by chondrocytes using the simple sugar [3H]glucosamine as a metabolic precursor. Chondrocytes permeabilized with alpha-hemolysin in serum-free media decreased intracellular ATP and synthesis of CS to approximately 5% of control within 2-4 h, but synthesized HA (80% of control for 8 h; approximately 65% of control at 24 h). Adding fresh medium (with or without serum) to permeabilized cells increased ATP significantly and increased HA synthesis to near initial control values. Under the same conditions, the recovery of CS synthesis approached initial levels in control but not permeabilized cells. Our model demonstrates that the biosynthesis of HA by these cells in vitro is remarkably stable to cellular perturbations which drastically inhibit synthesis of CS on proteoglycans.

Expression of small extracellular chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans is differentially regulated in human endothelial cells

We have examined the expression of the small extracellular chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (CS/DS PGs), biglycan, decorin, and PG-100, which is the proteoglycan form of colony stimulating factor-1, in the human endothelial cell line EA.hy 926. We have also examined whether modulation of the phenotype of EA.hy 926 cells by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is associated with specific changes in the synthesis of these PGs. We demonstrate that EA.hy 926 cells, when they form monolayer cultures typical of macrovascular endothelial cells, express and synthesize detectable amounts of biglycan and PG-100, but not decorin. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both PGs behave like proteins of the relative molecular weight of approximately 250,000. TNF-alpha that changed the morphology of the cells from a polygonal shape into a spindle shape and that also stimulated the detachment of the cells from culture dish, markedly decreased the net synthesis of biglycan, whereas the net synthesis of PG-100 was increased. These changes were parallel with those observed at the mRNA level of the corresponding PGs. The proportions of the different sulfated CS/DS disaccharide units of PGs were not affected by TNF-alpha. Several other growth factors/cytokines, such as interferon-gamma, fibroblast growth factors-2 (FGF-2) and -7 (FGF-7), interleukin-1beta, and transforming growth factor-beta, unlike TNF-alpha, modulated neither the morphology nor the biglycan expression of EA.hy 926 cells under the conditions used in the experiments. However, PG-100 expression was increased also in response to FGF-2 and -7 and transforming growth factor-beta. None of the above cytokines, including TNF-alpha, was able to induce decorin expression in the cells. Our results indicate that the regulatory elements controlling the expression of the small extracellular CS/DS PGs in human endothelial cells are different.

High-performance capillary electrophoresis of hyaluronic acid: determination of its amount and molecular mass

The amount and the molecular mass of hyaluronic acid (HA) were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis. HA was observed at around 15 min by using an untreated fused-silica capillary (75 microns I.D.) of 58 cm length (effective length, 50 cm) at 20 kV in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 4.0). Calibration curves showed good linearity from 0.01 mg/ml to 3.3 mg/ml for all HA samples examined. The lower limit of detection by monitoring the absorbance at 185 nm was 1.0 microgram/ml at the signal-to-noise ratio of 5. HA samples were examined in a buffer containing pullulan (PU) as an additive for the matrix formation material. The HA samples showed marked peak-broadening when analyzed in the buffer solution containing PU with a specified molecular mass. The peak broadening was based on the dispersion of the molecular mass of the HA sample analyzed.

Carbohydrate chromatography: towards yoctomole sensitivity

In attempting to analyse complex carbohydrates by HPLC or capillary electrophoresis (CE) the chromatographer is faced with many challenges. The diversity of oligosaccharide structures described the date and their poor resolution on many chromatographic systems present a significant challenge to the chromatographer. In addition to this, the non-chromogenic nature of most carbohydrates greatly decreases the sensitivity of UV detection and refractive index is not an option for sensitive analysis. Over the last five years there have been significant advances in separation and detection methods for carbohydrates, and in this paper we will attempt to describe the most significant advances and highlight potential future developments. The detection of 200-300 fmol (2-3 x 10(-3) mol) of oligosaccharides can now be readily achieved using electrochemical detection or fluorescence detection (after labelling) with conventional HPLC columns and detectors. Miniaturized separation systems have greatly increased sensitivities with a CE-laser induced fluorescence instrument detecting as little as 100 yoctomoles (1 x 10(-22) mol).

Proteoglycans of human rotator cuff tendons

Rotator cuff and biceps tendons that appeared grossly normal were procured from adult cadavers without a history of shoulder problems. These tendons were analyzed for the amount and type of glycosaminoglycan, type of proteoglycan, and histology. When compared with the distal/tensional region of biceps tendon, the glycosaminoglycan content of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis tendons was 2.5-fold higher and the glycosaminoglycan content of the proximal/compressed region of biceps tendon was 3-fold higher. The ratio of hyaluronic acid to chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate in all three cuff tendons was approximately 1. Rotator cuff tendons contained large proteoglycan similar to aggrecan, as demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel migration elution from Sepharose CL-4B, and content of both chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate chains. Both decorin and biglycan were also present, as demonstrated by migration in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and core protein immunoreactivity. In contrast decorin was the only proteoglycan prominent in distal/tensional regions of biceps tendon. Histological analysis showed layers of loosely organized alcian blue-stained material running between the longitudinal collagen fiber bundles. The proteoglycan content of rotator cuff tendons was similar to fibrocartilage in tendons that have been subjected to compressive loads in situ. This suggests that cells of normal adult rotator cuff tendons have adapted to loads distinct from pure tension. However, the histological organization did not resemble mature fibrocartilage. The increased amount of proteoglycan in rotator cuff tendons may serve to separate and lubricate collagen bundles as they move relative to each other during normal shoulder motion.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of glycosaminoglycan-derived oligosaccharides

High-performance liquid chromatography of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-derived oligosaccharides has been employed for the structural analysis and measurement of hyaluronan, chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate, keratan sulphate, heparan sulphate and heparin. Recent developments in the separation and detection of unsaturated disaccharides and oligosaccharides derived from GAGs by enzymatic or chemical degradation are reviewed.

Nonreducing end structures of chondroitin sulfate chains on aggrecan isolated from Swarm rat chondrosarcoma cultures

Chondrocyte cultures derived from the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma were metabolically labeled with [35S]sulfate or [6-3H]GlcN. Radiolabeled aggrecan was purified from the cell layer and exhaustively digested with chondroitin ABC lyase. Digestion products were resolved into disaccharide and monosaccharide residues using Toyopearl HW40S chromatography. The separated saccharide pools were reduced with NaBH4 and applied onto a CarboPac PA1 column to resolve all of the internal disaccharide alditols (unsaturated) from the nonreducing end disaccharide (saturated) and monosaccharide alditols. Mercuric acetate treatment was used prior to carbohydrate analysis to identify unambiguously the saturated from the unsaturated disaccharides. The chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains from these aggrecan preparations contained: (a) an internal disaccharide composition of unsulfated (3-4 per chain), 4-sulfated (approximately 32 per chain), 6-sulfated (approximately 1 per 14 chains), and 4,6-sulfated disaccharides (approximately 1 per 6 chains) and (b) a nonreducing terminal composition of 4-sulfated GalNAc (approximately 4 out of every 7 chains), 4,6-disulfated GalNAc (approximately 2 out of every 7 chains), and GlcUA adjacent to a 4-sulfated GalNAc residue (approximately 1 out of every 7 chains). Thus, the vast majority of these CS chains terminated with a sulfated GalNAc residue. The presence of 4,6-disulfated GalNAc at nonreducing termini is 60-fold more abundant than 4,6-disulfated GalNAc in interior disaccharides. This observation is consistent with the suggestion that disulfation of terminal GalNAc residues is involved in chain termination.