Search

Ferritin is a protein principally known for its role in iron storage. We have previously shown that ferritin can bind high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK). Upon proteolytic cleavage by the protease kallikrein, HK releases the proinflammatory peptide bradykinin (BK) and other biologically active products, such as two-chain high-molecular-weight kininogen, HKa. At inflammatory sites, HK is oxidized, which renders it a poor substrate for kallikrein. However, oxidized HK remains a good substrate for elastase and tryptase, thereby providing an alternative cleavage mechanism for HK during inflammation. Here we report that ferritin can retard the cleavage of both native HK and oxidized HK by elastase and tryptase. Initial rates of cleavage were reduced 45–75% in the presence of ferritin. Ferritin is not a substrate for elastase or tryptase and does not interfere with the ability of either protease to digest a synthetic substrate, suggesting that ferritin may impede HK cleavage through direct interaction with HK. Immunoprecipitation and solid phase binding studies reveal that ferritin and HK bind directly with a Kdof 134 nM. To test whether ferritin regulates HK cleavage in vivo, we used THP-1 cells, a human monocyte/macrophage cell line that has been used to model pulmonary inflammatory cells. We observed that ferritin impedes the cleavage of HK by secretory proteases in stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, ferritin, HK, and elastase are all present in or on alveolar macrophages in a mouse model of pulmonary inflammation. Collectively, these results implicate ferritin in the modulation of HK cleavage at sites of inflammation.

A polysaccharide microarray platform was prepared by immobilizing Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei polysaccharides. This polysaccharide array was tested with success for detecting B. pseudomallei and B. mallei serum (human and animal) antibodies. The advantages of this microarray technology over the current serodiagnosis of the above bacterial infections were discussed.

Ferritin is an iron-storage protein that exists in both intracellular and extracellular compartments. We have previously identified H-kininogen (high-molecular-weight kininogen) as a ferritin-binding protein [Torti and Torti (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 13630–13635]. H-Kininogen is a precursor of the potent pro-inflammatory peptide bradykinin, which is released from H-kininogen following cleavage of H-kininogen by the serine protease kallikrein. In this report, we demonstrate that binding of ferritin to H-kininogen occurs via the modified light chain of H-kininogen, and that ferritin binds preferentially to activated H-kininogen. We further demonstrate that binding of ferritin to H-kininogen retards the proteolytic cleavage of H-kininogen by kallikrein and its subsequent release of bradykinin fromH-kininogen. Ferritin does not interfere with the ability of kallikrein to digest a synthetic substrate, suggesting that ferritin specifically impedes the ability of kallikrein to digest H-kininogen, perhaps by steric hindrance. Based on these results, we propose a model of sequential H-kininogen cleavage and ferritin binding. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the binding of ferritin to H-kininogen may serve to modulate bradykinin release.

Laminin-1 is a basement membrane glycoprotein implicated in tumor-host adhesion, which involves the cell-binding domain(s) of laminin-1 and tumor cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). The specific tumor cell surface HS oligosaccharide sequences that are necessary for binding to laminin-1 have not been characterized. To identify this laminin-binding oligosaccharide sequence, GlcNSO4-rich oligosaccharides terminating with [3H]2,5-anhydromannitol (AManR) residues were isolated from human breast cancer cell (MCF-7)-derived HS through hydrazinolysis/high pH (4.0) nitrous acid treatment/[3H]NaBH4 reduction. These oligosaccharides were chromatographed on a laminin-1 affinity column. A high affinity dodecasaccharide was isolated and characterized. Disaccharide analysis yielded IdoA(2-SO4) → AManR(6-SO4) as the only disaccharide upon treatment of this dodecasaccharide with nitrous acid at low pH (1.5). The sequence of laminin-binding high affinity oligosaccharide is therefore [IdoA(2-SO4) → GlcNSO4(6-SO4)]5[IdoA(2-SO4) → AManR(6-SO4)]. Low affinity dodecasaccharides composed of [IdoA(2-SO4) → GlcNSO4(6-SO4)]5, [IdoA(2-SO4) → GlcNSO4] were also isolated by laminin-1 affinity chromatography. Molecular modeling studies indicate that a heparin-binding peptide sequence corresponding to amino acid residues 3010–3031 (KQNCLSSRASFRGCVRNLRLSR) in the G domain of laminin-1, modeled as a right-handed α-helix, carries an array of basic residues well placed to bind to clusters of sulfate groups on the high affinity dodecasaccharide.

A unique feature of lipoprotein lipase (LpL), the rate-limiting enzyme in the hydrolysis of circulating triglycerides, is its movement from its cell of synthesis, adipocyte or myocyte, to its site of action, the luminal endothelial surface. This involves processes that allow LpL to be released from the adipocyte cell surface and transferred against the flow of interstitial fluid to the luminal surface of endothelial cells. LpL, an unstable enzyme, must retain its activity during this process. Whether a chaperone-like molecule is involved in LpL stabilization and transport is unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that endothelial cells secrete factors that release LpL and promote its transfer to the luminal endothelial surface. Incubation of adipocytes with endothelial cell conditioned medium (ECCM) led to release of about 2-fold more LpL activity than control medium. Medium from endothelial cells exposed to lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-ECCM), a product of LpL lipolysis of lipoproteins, released approximately 3-fold more LpL than ECCM. Concomitant with the release of LpL, adipocyte cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans were degraded suggesting that lyso-ECCM contained a heparanase-like activity. More heparanase was found in media from the basolateral than the apical side of lysolecithin-stimulated polarized endothelial cells. In coculture experiments, lipolysis and lysolecithin stimulation of endothelial cells increased LpL release from adipocytes. LpL released by lyso-ECCM remained stable and did not lose enzymatic activity at 37 °C for 1 h. LpL activity was also stabilized by heparanase-digested fragments of HS (HS oligosaccharide) and by purified LpL binding decasaccharide. Moreover, LpL·HS oligosaccharide complexes crossed endothelial cell monolayers and bound to the apical side of the cells. Thus, an endothelial heparanase may play a critical role in releasing subendothelial HS bound proteins, and specific HS oligosaccharides produced by this enzyme may serve as extracellular chaperones.

Oligosaccharides (hexa to dodeca) terminating with [ 3 H]2,5-anhydromannitol (AMan R ) were isolated from heparin by partial cleavage with nitrous acid at low pH (pH 1.5) followed by gel filtration and reduction with [ 3 H]NaBH 4 . They were subsequently chromatographed on a lipoprotein lipase (LpL)-Sepharose column. High- and low-affinity oligosaccharides for LpL were isolated and characterized. Disaccharide analysis revealed the presence of (IdceA(2-SO 4 )→AMan R 6-SO 4 ) and (IdceA(2-SO 4 )→AMan R ) as the major disaccharide products after low pH nitrous acid treatment. The oligosaccharides are, therefore, enriched in IdceA(2-SO 4 )-(GlcNSO 4 ±6-SO 4 ) sequences. Furthermore, they are found to be composed of 2- O -sulfated hexuronic acid-containing sequences, structural features, characteristic of heparin and heparan sulfate oligosaccharies with potential antiproliferative activities. These oligosaccharides may have the potential as lipase-releasing agents from endothelial and adipocyte surfaces.

Hypercoagulability of blood, monocytic infiltration, and changes in pericellular and extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are observed in atherosclerosis, inflammation, and neoplasia. In the present studies, monocyte procoagulants and different GAGs including chondroitin sulfate (CS) A, CSB, CSC, CSD, CSE, and heparan sulfate, were tested either in clotting assays with whole plasma or in chromogenic assays with purified coagulation proteases. Procoagulant activity in plasma was inhibited by three of the seven GAGs, including heparan sulfate, CSE, and CSB. In contrast, activity of purified coagulation protease was inhibited only by CSE, and the inhibition was observed with intrinsic (factor VIIIa/IXa) but not extrinsic (tissue factor/factor VII) components. Reciprocal titration experiments with enzyme and substrate and Scatchard type analyses were consistent with concentration-dependent inhibitory interactions between CSE and sites on both factor VIIIa and IXa. On purified phospholipids, CSE concentration resulting in half-maximal inhibition (Ki) was 5 ng/ml for interaction with factor IXa and > 500 ng/ml for interaction with factor VIIIa. The Ki values were lower for reactions on purified lipid than for reactions on monocyte surfaces and for reactions on resting than on endotoxin-stimulated monocytes. Experiments with CSE oligosaccharides of defined size indicated that the smallest CSE fragment capable of inhibitory activity was composed of 12-18 monosaccharide units. Collectively, these results indicate that factor X-activating reactions are inhibited by GAGs expressed on monocyte membranes. Inhibition is specific with respect to the structure of both the GAG and the activating protease. Lack of inhibition by added CSA, CSB, and CSC in contrast to CSE strongly suggests a direct role of 4,6-di-O-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine GAG structures in the inhibition of intrinsic pathway protease. These findings also suggest potential pharmacologic use of CSE as specific anticoagulant in the management of prothrombotic states mediated by intrinsic pathway coagulation reactions.

Lipoprotein lipase (LpL) catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides in plasma lipoproteins at the luminal surface of the vascular endothelium. This enzyme is bound via electrostatic interactions to heparan sulfate (HS). The specific endothelial cell surface HS oligosaccharide sequences that are necessary for binding of LpL to HS have not been characterized. To identify this LpL-binding oligosaccharide sequence, oligosaccharides were isolated from bovine aortic endothelial cell-derived HS and assessed for LpL binding properties. Endothelial HS chains that were isolated from endothelial total cell-associated proteoglycans were deacetylated by complete hydrazinolysis, cleaved with nitrous acid (pH 4.5), and reduced with [3H]NaBH4. The resulting fragments composed of N-sulfated glucosamine-rich oligosaccharides terminating with [3H]2,5-anhydromannitol (AManR) were chromatographed on a LpL-Sepharose column. A high affinity decasaccharide was isolated and characterized. Disaccharide analysis of this decasaccharide indicated that it yielded only the disaccharide IdceA(2-SO4)-->AManR(6-SO4) on treatment with nitrous acid at low pH. Therefore, the sequence of the LpL-binding decasaccharide is [IdceA(2-SO4) alpha 1-4GlcNSO4(6-S0(4)) alpha 1-4]4-IdceA(2-SO4) alpha 1-4AManR(6-SO4) and is distinct from those that bind antithrombin and basic fibroblast growth factor. Partial depolymerization of endothelial HS chains with hydrazine/high pH nitrous acid treatment gave rise to lipase-binding oligosaccharides larger than decasaccharide. However, further complete depolymerization of these oligosaccharides resulted in only a high affinity decasaccharide composed of repeating disaccharide units of [IdceA(2-SO4) alpha 1-4GlcNSO4(6-S0(4))]. These results indicate that the decasaccharide is the active fragment that binds to LpL with high affinity. Molecular modeling studies of the decasaccharide indicate that it presents a linear array of negatively charged sulfate groups that may adopt a favorable disposition to bind to peptide region(s) comprised of basic amino acid residues of LpL with high affinity.

We have been interested in examining the putative biological role(s) of the major proteoglycan of adult skeletal muscle. The small proteoglycans of adult rabbit skeletal muscle and tendon were extracted and purified by sequential density-gradient ultracentrifugation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. They appeared to be homogeneous by the criterion of gel electrophoresis in SDS and to yield one major product, the core protein, after digestion with chondroitin ABC lyase, also observed after gel electrophoresis. Two major products were obtained when the intact proteoglycans were cleaved by CNBr, and those peptides were separated by SDS/PAGE and by ion-exchange chromatography. Sequencing of the N-terminal amino acids of either the intact proteoglycans or the CNBr-cleaved products allowed for comparison of the muscle and tendon proteoglycan with derived amino acid sequences previously reported for bovine bone proteoglycan. The bone and tendon proteoglycan sequences were remarkably similar, whereas those of the muscle proteoglycan differed from the other two molecules. The major site of glycosaminoglycan substitution was on a peptide fragment distant from the N-terminus, and a presumptive serine residue at position 4 from the N-terminus also appeared to be substituted, perhaps with a small glycosaminoglycan chain. These results provide some insight into the diversity of small proteoglycans of the PG-II class and provide a basis for exploring their mode of genetic expression.

Biglycan and decorin are small dermatan sulfate-containing proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of the artery wall. The dermatan sulfate chains are known to stimulate thrombin inhibition by heparin cofactor II (HCII), a plasma proteinase inhibitor that has been detected within the artery wall. The purpose of this study was to analyze the HCII-stimulatory activity of biglycan and decorin isolated from normal human aorta and atherosclerotic lesions type II through VI and to correlate activity with dermatan sulfate chain composition and structure. Biglycan and decorin from plaque exhibited a 24-75% and 38-79% loss of activity, respectively, in thrombin-HCII inhibition assays relative to proteoglycan from normal aorta. A significant negative linear relationship was observed between lesion severity and HCII stimulatory activity (r = 0.79, biglycan; r = 0.63, decorin; p < 0.05). Biglycan, but not decorin, from atherosclerotic plaque contained significantly reduced amounts of iduronic acid and disulfated disaccharides DeltaDi-2,4S and DeltaDi-4,6S relative to proteoglycan from normal artery. Affinity coelectrophoresis analysis of a subset of samples demonstrated that increased interaction of proteoglycan with HCII in agarose gels paralleled increased activity in thrombin-HCII inhibition assays. In conclusion, both biglycan and decorin from atherosclerotic plaque possessed reduced activity with HCII, but only biglycan demonstrated a correlation between activity and specific glycosaminoglycan structural features. Loss of the ability of biglycan and decorin in atherosclerotic lesions to regulate thrombin activity through HCII may be critical in the progression of the disease.

A simple, sensitive, and efficient method is described for the quantitative determination of glycosaminoglycans from bovine renal glomerular basement membranes. After release from glomerular basement membrane by protease treatment, the glycosaminoglycans were isolated by a modified DEAE-cellulose column chromatographic procedure. Quantitation of glycosaminoglycans was achieved by hexuronate measurements with a microadaptation method employing m-hydroxydiphenyl. This procedure has proven useful in analyzing small samples of basement membranes as little as 0.75 mg. The glycosaminoglycan was identified as heparan sulfate by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and nitrous acid treatment.