Glycomics meets artificial intelligence - Potential of glycan analysis for identification of seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patients revealed.

In this study, one hundred serum samples from healthy people and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analyzed. Standard immunoassays for detection of 10 different RA markers and analysis of glycan markers on antibodies in 10 different assay formats with several lectins were applied for each serum sample. A dataset containing 2000 data points was data mined using artificial neural networks (ANN). We identified key RA markers, which can discriminate between healthy people and seropositive RA patients (serum containing autoantibodies) with accuracy of 83.3%. Combination of RA markers with glycan analysis provided much better discrimination accuracy of 92.5%. Immunoassays completely failed to identify seronegative RA patients (serum not containing autoantibodies), while glycan analysis correctly identified 43.8% of these patients. Further, we revealed other critical parameters for successful glycan analysis such as type of a sample, format of analysis and orientation of captured antibodies for glycan analysis.

Mixed Zwitterion-Based Self-Assembled Monolayer Interface for Impedimetric Glycomic Analyses of Human IgG Samples in an Array Format.

An impedimetric lectin biosensor for the detection of changes in the glycan structure of antibodies isolated from human serum is here correlated with the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The biosensor was built up from a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold consisting of two different thiolated zwitterionic derivatives, carboxybetaine and sulfobetaine, to resist nonspecific interactions. The carboxyl-terminated one was applied also for the covalent immobilization of lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I). The process of building a bioreceptive layer was optimized and characterized using a diverse range of techniques. Impedimetric assays were integrated on a chip consisting of eight gold working electrodes, which is an important step toward the achievement of a moderate level of multiplexing for the analysis of human serum samples. At the end, the results obtained by the impedimetric analysis of immunoglobulins G (IgGs) isolated from serum samples were compared with those of two other standard bioanalytical methods employing lectins, that is, lectin microarrays (MAs) and enzyme-linked lectin binding assays (ELLBAs). The impedimetric results agreed very well with the DAS28 index (RA disease activity score 28), suggesting that impedimetric assays could be used for the development of a new diagnostic procedure sensitive to glycosylation changes in human IgGs and thus RA progression.

Glycoprofiling as a novel tool in serological assays of systemic sclerosis: a comparative study with three bioanalytical methods.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease seriously affecting patient's quality of life. The heterogeneity of the disease also means that identification and subsequent validation of biomarkers of the disease is quite challenging. A fully validated single biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, disease activity and assessment of response to therapy is not yet available. The main aim of this study was to apply an alternative assay protocol to the immunoassay-based analysis of this disease by employment of sialic acid recognizing lectin Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) to glycoprofile serum samples. To our best knowledge this is the first study describing direct lectin-based glycoprofiling of serum SSc samples. Three different analytical methods for glycoprofiling of serum samples relying on application of lectins are compared here from a bioanalytical point of view including traditional ELISA-like lectin-based method (ELLA), novel fluorescent lectin microarrays and ultrasensitive impedimetric lectin biosensors. Results obtained by all three bioanalytical methods consistently showed differences in the level of sialic acid present on glycoproteins, when serum from healthy people was compared to the one from patients having SSc. Thus, analysis of sialic acid content in human serum could be of a diagnostic value for future detection of SSc, but further work is needed to enhance selectivity of assays for example by glycoprofiling of a fraction of human serum enriched in antibodies for individual diagnostics.

Coffea arabica instant coffee--chemical view and immunomodulating properties.

Results of chemical analyses and immunological studies of two Coffea arabica instant coffee powders obtained by freeze-dried (ICPf) and spray-dried (ICPs) procedures, and arabinogalactan-protein (AGP3) obtained from ICPf are presented. For instant coffee powders no significant differences have been found in carbohydrate (ICPf: 37%, ICPs: 38%) as well as in caffeine (ICPf: 3.0%, ICPs: 3.4%) contents. Their (1)H NMR spectra revealed differences in trigonelline and chlorogenic acids content and in a degree of AGP backbone substitution. Immunobiological tests of all samples (ICPf, ICPs, AGP2 and AGP3) revealed a significant immunostimulatory effect on induction of interleukin 2 and free radicals secretion by mice immunocytes. Moreover, tests revealed more pronounced effect of arabinogalactans AGP2 and AGP3 compared to instant coffee powders (ICPf and ICPs).

Detection of glycomic alterations induced by overexpression of p-glycoprotein on the surfaces of L1210 cells using sialic acid binding lectins.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression is the most frequently observed cause of multidrug resistance in neoplastic cells. In our experiments, P-gp was expressed in L1210 mice leukemia cells (S cells) by selection with vincristine (R cells) or transfection with the gene encoding human P-gp (T cells). Remodeling of cell surface sugars is associated with P-gp expression in L1210 cells as a secondary cellular response. In this study, we monitored the alteration of cell surface saccharides by Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA). Sialic acid is predominantly linked to the surface of S, R and T cells via α-2,6 branched sugars that tightly bind SNA. The presence of sialic acid linked to the cell surface via α-2,3 branched sugars was negligible, and the binding of MAA (recognizing this branch) was much less pronounced than SNA. WGA induced greater cell death than SNA, which was bound to the cell surface and agglutinated all three L1210 cell-variants more effectively than WGA. Thus, the ability of lectins to induce cell death did not correlate with their binding efficiency and agglutination potency. Compared to S cells, P-gp positive R and T cells contain a higher amount of N-acetyl-glucosamine on their cell surface, which is associated with improved WGA binding. Both P-gp positive variants of L1210 cells are strongly resistant to vincristine as P-gp prototypical drug. This resistance could not be altered by liberalization of terminal sialyl residues from the cell surface by sialidase.

Coencapsulation of oxygen carriers and glucose oxidase in polyelectrolyte complex capsules for the enhancement of D-gluconic acid and delta-gluconolactone production.

A novel encapsulated oxidative biocatalyst comprising glucose oxidase (GOD) coencapsulated with oxygen carriers within polyelectrolyte complex capsules was developed for the production of D-gluconic acid and delta-gluconolactone. The capsules containing immobilized GOD were produced by polyelectrolyte complexation with sodium alginate (SA) and cellulose sulfate (CS) as polyanions, poly(methylene-co-guanidine) (PMCG) as the polycation, CaCl(2) as the gelling agent and NaCl as the antigelling agent (GOD-SA-CS/PMCG capsules). Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and an emulsion of n-dodecane (DOD) or perfluorodecaline (PFD) with PDMS were used as the oxygen carriers and MnO(2) was used as a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst. Water-soluble PDMS was found to act as both an oxygen carrier and an emulsifier of water-insoluble DOD and PFD. Stable microcapsules could be produced with concentrations of up to 4% (w/w) of PDMS, 10% (w/w) of DOD and PFD, and 25% (w/w) of MnO(2) in the polyanion solution of SA and CS. Roughly a two-fold increase in the GOD activity from 21.0+/-1.1 to 38.4+/-2.0 U*g(-1) and product space-time yields (STY) from 44.3+/-2.0 to 83.4+/-3.4 g*H*day(-1) could be achieved utilizing coencapsulated oxygen carriers compared to GOD encapsulated in the absence of oxygen carriers. This enhanced production does not significantly depend on the selected oxygen carrier under the conditions used in this study.

Enzymatic oxidation and separation of various saccharides with immobilized glucose oxidase.

Glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger, the specific enzyme for beta-D-glucose oxidation, can also oxidize other related saccharides at very slow or negligible rates. The present study aimed to compare the kinetics of D-glucose oxidation using immobilized glucose oxidase on bead cellulose for the oxidation of related saccharides using the same biocatalyst. The significant differences were observed between the reaction rates for D-glucose and other saccharides examined. As a result, k (cat)/K (M) ratio for D-glucose was determined to be 42 times higher than D-mannose, 61.6 times higher than D-galactose, 279 times higher than D-xylose, and 254 times higher than for D-fructose and D-cellobiose. On the basis of these differences, the ability of immobilized glucose oxidase to remove D-glucose from D-cellobiose, D-glucose from D-xylose, and D-xylose from D-lyxose was examined. Immobilized catalase on Eupergit and mixed with immobilized glucose oxidase on bead cellulose or co-immobilized with glucose oxidase on bead cellulose was used for elimination of hydrogen peroxide from the reaction mixture. The accelerated elimination of D-glucose and D-xylose in the presence of co-immobilized catalase was observed. The co-immobilized glucose oxidase and catalase were able to decrease D-glucose or D-xylose content to 0-0.005% of their initial concentrations, while a minimum decrease of low oxidized saccharides D-xylose, D-cellobiose, and D-lyxose, respectively, was observed.

Targeting lectin activity into inclusion bodies for the characterisation of glycoproteins.

Physiological aggregation of lectin functional domains into active inclusion bodies would provide a simple tool for glycocode reading by well-established agglutination assays.

Vincristine-induced overexpression of P-glycoprotein in L1210 cells is associated with remodeling of cell surface saccharides.

Multidrug resistance of murine leukemic cell line L1210/VCR (R), obtained by adaptation of parental L1210 cells (S) on vincristine, is associated with overexpression of P glycoprotein (P-gp, the ATP-dependent drug efflux pump). Previously, we found that cytochemical staining of negatively charged cell surface binding sites (probably sialic acid) by ruthenium red (RR) revealed a compact layer of RR bound to the external coat of S cells. This is in contrast to R cells and L1210/VCR cells cultured in the presence of vincristine during the last cultivation prior to the experiment (V cells), where the RR layer was either reduced or absent. In the current paper, we observed differences in the interactions of S, R and V cells with Concanavalin A (ConA) and tomato lectin (lycopersicum esculentum agglutinin, LEA). ConA bound and induced cell damage more effectively in S cells than in R or V cells. Both of these effects could be prevented by methyl-manopyranose, but not by N-acetylglucosamine. In contrast, LEA lectin preferentially bound to R and V cells. While LEA agglutinated cells more effectively than ConA, it did not cause cell damage comparable to ConA. Binding of LEA to the cell surface could be prevented by chitooligosaccharides. Both LEA and ConA failed to identify P-gp in lectin blots. Thus, changes in ConA and LEA interactions are not caused by massive expression of P-gp in the plasma membrane and the consequent exposure of the inner saccharides to the external side of the plasma membrane.Taken together, the above facts suggest that S cells differ from R and V cells in the composition of cell surface glycosides not directly linked to P-gp.

Lectinomics II. A highway to biomedical/clinical diagnostics.

The review assesses current status and attempts to forecast trends in the development of lectin biorecognition technology. The progressive trend is characterized scientometrically and reflects the current transient situation, when standard low-throughput lectin-based techniques are being replaced by a novel microarray-based techniques offering high-throughput of detection. The technology is still in its infancy (validation phase), but already shows promise as an efficient tool to decipher the enormous complexity of the glycocode that influences physiological status of the cell. Further enhancement in robustness and flexibility of lectin microarrays is predicted by using recombinant and artificial lectins that will render production of lectin microarrays cost-effective and more affordable. Mass spectrometry is expected to play an important role to characterize the binding profile of new lectins. Differences in glycan recognition by lectins and anti-carbohydrate antibodies are given on a molecular basis, and strong and weak points of both biorecognition molecules in diagnosis are briefly discussed.

Pectate hydrolases of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) roots.

The presence of various enzyme forms with terminal action pattern on pectate was evaluated in a protein mixture obtained from parsley roots. Enzymes found in the soluble fraction of roots (juice) were purified to homogeneity according to SDS-PAGE, partially separated by preparative isoelectric focusing and characterized. Three forms with pH optima 3.6, 4.2 and 4.6 clearly preferred substrates with a lower degree of polymerization (oligogalacturonates) while the form with pH optimum 5.2 was a typical exopolygalacturonase [EC 3. 2.1.67] with relatively fast cleavage of polymeric substrate. The forms with pH optima 3.6, 4.2 and 5.2 were released from the pulp, too. The form from the pulp with pH optimum 4.6 preferred higher oligogalacturonates and was not described in plants previously. The production of individual forms in roots was compared with that produced by root cells cultivated on solid medium and in liquid one.

Controlling the association of adamantyl-substituted poly{N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide} and a beta-cyclodextrin/epichlorohydrin polymer by a small drug molecule--naproxen.

Two polymeric substances, a poly{N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide} (THMMA) substituted with adamantyl moieties and a beta-cyclodextrin/epichlorohydrin polycondensate, formed a host-guest type complex, which resulted in the gel formation upon mixing of these two compounds at appropriate conditions. Introduction of a drug molecule, i.e., naproxen, that was able to fill the beta-cyclodextrin cavities, thus expulsing adamantyl moieties, led to disruption of such association and inhibition of gel formation. The conditions required for the association of the two polymeric components and formation of the gel, as well as the dynamics of its inhibition by addition of naproxen was established. The procedure of using solutions of two associating polymers and an appropriate drug competitor can be used at targeted viscosupplementation.

Antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of mannan neoglycoconjugates: mannan-human serum albumin and mannan-penicillin G acylase.

The antioxidant and antimutagenic activity of the yeast cell-wall mannan and mannan conjugates--in particular the mannan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (M-S.c.) and conjugates of mannan S. cerevisiae with human serum albumin (M-HSA1, M-HSA2) and the microbial enzyme penicillin G acylase (M-PGA)--were evaluated in vitro in the unicellular flagellate Euglena gracilis exposed to the genotoxic agents ofloxacin and acridine orange (AO). M-S.c., M-HSA1, M-HSA2 and M-PGA show a statistically significant, concentration-dependent protective antigenotoxic activity against both compounds. M-PGA was the most efficient inhibitor of ofloxacin- and AO-induced chloroplast DNA damage, whereas M-HSA2 and M-HSA1 were less effective and M-S.c. had the lowest antigenotoxic activity. It is suggested that different mechanisms may be involved in their protective effect--antioxidant activity in the case of ofloxacin-induced DNA damage and direct adsorption of AO on mannan conjugates as possible mechanisms of protection, based on spectrophotometric measurements. The important characteristics of yeast cell-wall mannans and mannan conjugates, such as their high water solubility, their broad spectrum of biological activity, low toxicity, stability and their antimutagenic effects via different modes of action, appear to be promising features for their practical application as antioxidants and antimutagenic agents.

Immune response to Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan conjugate in mice.

Mannan, the surface polysaccharide antigen of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was partially oxidized and conjugated to a protein carrier. Prepared conjugate was immunogenic in mice and re-injection elicited significant increase of anti-S. cerevisiae specific IgG and IgM serum antibodies. There was somewhat less increase in IgM serum antibodies. Serum distribution of IgG subclasses, especially IgG(2(a+b)):IgG(1) ratio throughout the immunization demonstrated effective Th1 predominance of immune response. Newly synthesized S. cerevisiae mannan conjugate could be considered as a perspective vaccine candidate for preventive immunomodulation treatment.

Mannan-penicillin G acylase neoglycoproteins and their potential applications in biotechnology.

Mannan-penicillin G acylase neoglycoproteins were prepared by the conjugation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan with enzyme penicillin G acylase using the reductive amination method. Eight neoglycoproteins preparations were obtained after gel chromatography. The preparations contained from 42 to 67% (w/w) saccharides and their molar masses varied from 283 to over 1000 kDa. Significant biospecific interaction of separated fractions with the lectin concanavalin A was evaluated by the precipitation and sorption method (equilibrium constants) and further characterized using surface plasmon resonance to determine kinetic association and dissociation constants. K (D) was determined over the range 10(-7) M. High-molar-mass preparations appeared to be more suitable for preparation of stable and active complexes with concanavalin A for prospective use as a penicillin G acylase biocatalyst in enzyme reactors. The enzyme stability of such complexes was significantly increased compared with the original neoglycoprotein. Lower-molar-mass preparations were more suitable for applications such as biocatalysts in bioanalytical devices.

Biospecific immobilization of mannan-penicillin G acylase neoglycoenzyme on Concanavalin A-bead cellulose.

The matter of this work was to evaluate possibilities of biospecific immobilization of synthetic mannan-penicillin G acylase neoglycoconjugate on Concanavalin A support. The conjugate containing 37% (w/w) of yeast mannan was prepared. Significant biospecific interaction of this neoglycoenzyme with Con A was confirmed by precipitation method. The biospecific sorption of conjugate was investigated using Concanavalin A-triazine bead celluloses MT-100 with different content of Con A (from 1.4 to 9.8 mgCon A/gwet support). The results obtained under optimal conditions were compared with those from covalent immobilization of PGA. The sorbent capacity was observed higher for covalent binding of enzyme. On the other hand, the biospecifically immobilized neoglycoenzyme retained a greater amount of initial activity. The maximum amount of 6.6mgimmobilizedneoglycoenzyme/gwet Con A-sorbent (18.1 U/g) was achieved. The amount as well as activity of immobilized mannan-penicillin G acylase was increased by its two multiple layering on surface of sorbent (10.1mg, respectively, 23.5 U/gwet sorbent). Determined storage and operational (using flow calorimetric method) stabilities of biospecifically immobilized enzyme, were similar, possibly somewhat higher that those of covalent bound penicillin G acylase.