Glycosylation Of Plasma Proteins Research Articles

Aberrant glycosylation of plasma proteins in HIV-infected patients (P6361)

Abstract Background: Glycosylation is one of the most abundant post-translational modifications, and is involved in protein structure formation and protein-protein interactions. Aberrant glycosylation profiles are often observed on plasma proteins from patients with inflammatory diseases. Increased levels of non-galactosylated glycans have been reported on serum IgGs of HIV-infected patients. We investigated the effects of HIV infection on protein glycosylation by N-glycomic profiling of plasma and plasma IgG. Methods: We obtained plasma samples of 22 HIV infected patients (11 therapy-naïve, 11 receiving anti-retroviral therapy) and 11 HIV-negative controls. First, a nano-LC-TOF-MS strategy was employed for the evaluation of plasma N-glycan profiles in each of the samples. Then, a UPLC-QQQ-MS method was used to evaluate the IgG specific glycosylation patterns. N-glycan peak integrals were used for biostatistical analysis. Results and conclusion: Several neutral, fucosylated and sialylated glycan compositions as well as high mannose type glycans in plasma samples were significantly altered in therapy-naïve HIV infected patients compared to controls. Moreover, galactose-deficient glycans were increased on the IgG in these patients, independent of IgG subclass. Interestingly, these effects were largely reduced in HIV infected patients receiving therapy. These results suggest an important role for protein glycosylation in immune dysfunction that is driven by active HIV infection.

Characterization and Stabilization of Recombinant Human Protein Pentraxin (rhPTX-2)

The potential human therapeutic protein pentraxin (PTX-2) is a large, glycosylated plasma protein consisting of five monomers that self-associate noncovalently into a pentameric, ring-like structure. The structural integrity and conformational stability of recombinant human PTX-2 (rhPTX-2) as a function of temperature and pH is described in conjunction with the identification of stabilizing excipients that improve the protein's physical stability. The monomer consisted primarily of two glycosylated forms (25,171 and 25,462 Da) as determined by mass spectrometry. The protein was approximately 82%-97% pentamer in solution with smaller amounts of decamer and aggregate as measured by analytical ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Comprehensive biophysical characterization using an empirical phase diagram approach demonstrates that rhPTX-2 is conformationally stable over a wide pH range (6.0-8.5) and at temperatures below 65°C-75°C. Formation of soluble aggregates was identified as a major physical degradation pathway of rhPTX-2 in solution under accelerated storage conditions. A series of effective stabilizers was identified by SEC analysis including disaccharides, sugar alcohols, citrate, as well as neutral and charged amino acids. The preformulation characterization data and stability profile presented in this work enable future studies for rhPTX-2 formulation development.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin depends on disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis

Objectives: Changes in the glycosylation of plasma proteins have been linked to the aetiology of the rheumatic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the levels of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Method: Studies were carried out in 29 female patients with RA, 27 with SSc, and 17 with SLE. CDT was assayed by the N Latex CDT immunonephelometric assay.Results: The levels of %CDT in the sera of RA, SLE, and SSc patients were significantly higher than in controls while the absolute concentrations of CDT were unchanged. %CDT, CDT, and transferrin do not differ significantly between patients with rheumatic diseases. In RA and SSc patients, a positive correlation was observed between %CDT and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as a positive correlation in RA patients between %CDT and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28).Conclusions: The changes in the serum %CDT concentration in patients with RA and SSc correlated with disease activity markers.

N- and O-linked glycosylation of total plasma glycoproteins in galactosemia

Classic galactosemia is a potentially lethal metabolic disorder that results from profound impairment of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT); despite decades of research, the underlying mechanism of pathophysiology remains unclear. Previous studies of plasma and tissue samples from patients with classic galactosemia have revealed defects of protein and lipid glycosylation, however, the underlying bases for these defects and their clinical significance, if any, has remained unclear. As a step toward addressing these questions we characterized both the N- and O-linked glycomes of plasma proteins from neonates, infants, children, and adults with galactosemia using mass spectrometry and asked (1) whether similar or disparate defects exist for N-linked and O-linked modifications, (2) what factors correlate with the severity of these defects in different patients, and perhaps most important, (3) whether there is any apparent relationship between chronic glycosylation defects and long-term outcome in patients. We found that some but not all of the galactosemic neonates tested exhibited abnormal N- and O-linked glycosylation of plasma proteins. The types of abnormalities seen were similar between N- and O-linked moieties, but the extent of the defects varied between patients. Age, gender, GALT genotype, and predicted residual GALT activity all failed to explain the extent of the glycosylation defect in the samples studied. Dietary galactose restriction markedly normalized both the N- and O-linked glycosylation patterns for all infants tested; however, any remaining glycosylation defects evident in the plasma of older children or adults on galactose-restricted diets showed no correlation with clinical outcome. These data cannot rule out the possibility that subtle or localized glycosylation defects, not detectable by our methods or not reflected in plasma, may contribute to acute or long-term outcome severity.

Epigenetic silencing of HNF1A associates with changes in the composition of the human plasma N-glycome

Protein glycosylation is a ubiquitous modification that affects the structure and function of proteins. Our recent genome wide association study identified transcription factor HNF1A as an important regulator of plasma protein glycosylation. To evaluate the potential impact of epigenetic regulation of HNF1A on protein glycosylation we analyzed CpG methylation in 810 individuals. The association between methylation of four CpG sites and the composition of plasma and IgG glycomes was analyzed. Several statistically significant associations were observed between HNF1A methylation and plasma glycans, while there were no significant associations with IgG glycans. The most consistent association with HNF1A methylation was observed with the increase in the proportion of highly branched glycans in the plasma N-glycome. The hypothesis that inactivation of HNF1A promotes branching of glycans was supported by the analysis of plasma N-glycomes in 61 patients with inactivating mutations in HNF1A, where the increase in plasma glycan branching was also observed. This study represents the first demonstration of epigenetic regulation of plasma glycome composition, suggesting a potential mechanism by which epigenetic deregulation of the glycome may contribute to disease development.

In VivoClearance of Alpha-1 Acid Glycoprotein Is Influenced by the Extent of Its N-Linked Glycosylation and by Its Interaction with the Vessel Wall

Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) is a highly glycosylated plasma protein that exerts vasoprotective effects. We hypothesized that AGP's N-linked glycans govern its rate of clearance from the circulation, and followed the disappearance of different forms of radiolabeled human AGP from the plasma of rabbits and mice. Enzymatic deglycosylation of human plasma-derived AGP (pdAGP) by Peptide: N-Glycosidase F yielded a mixture of differentially deglycosylated forms (PNGase-AGP), while the introduction of five Asn to Gln mutations in recombinant Pichia pastoris-derived AGP (rAGP-N(5)Q) eliminated N-linked glycosylation. PNGase-AGP was cleared from the rabbit circulation 9-fold, and rAGP-N(5)Q, 46-fold more rapidly than pdAGP, primarily via a renal route. Pichia pastoris-derived wild-type rAGP differed from pdAGP in expressing mannose-terminated glycans, and, like neuraminidase-treated pdAGP, was more rapidly removed from the rabbit circulation than rAGP-N(5)Q. Systemic hyaluronidase treatment of mice transiently decreased pdAGP clearance. AGP administration to mice reduced vascular binding of hyaluronic acid binding protein in the liver microcirculation and increased its plasma levels. Our results support a critical role of N-linked glycosylation of AGP in regulating its in vivo clearance and an influence of a hyaluronidase-sensitive component of the vessel wall on its transendothelial passage.

Improving volumetric productivity of a stable human CAP cell line by bioprocess optimization

Background For the production of recombinant proteins, a human cell-derived expression technology can offer significant advantages with respect to protein quality, serum halflife and safety. High volumetric productivity with firstclass quality is the ultimate ambition during process development. CEVEC’s proprietary expression system based on human amniocytes offers significant advantages for the production of complex human proteins and antibodies. The key benefits are the stable and high expression of recombinant proteins with human type posttranslational modifications, the robust growth behaviour with competitive high cell densities and the easy handling in serum free suspension. CAP cells meet all regulatory requirements, they are of non-tumour origin and from an ethically accepted source. In order to test the performance of CAP cells for the production of very complex proteins, stable C1-inhibitor expressing CAP cells were developed. C1-inhibitor is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) and one of the most heavily glycosylated plasma proteins bearing numerous complex Nand O-glycans.

Polymorphisms in B3GAT1, SLC9A9 and MGAT5 are associated with variation within the human plasma N-glycome of 3533 European adults

The majority of human proteins are post-translationally modified by covalent addition of one or more complex oligosaccharides (glycans). Alterations in glycosylation processing are associated with numerous diseases and glycans are attracting increasing attention both as disease biomarkers and as targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Using a recently developed high-throughput high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis method, we have reported, in a pilot genome-wide association study of 13 glycan features in 2705 individuals from three European populations, that polymorphisms at three loci (FUT8, FUT6/FUT3 and HNF1A) affect plasma levels of N-glycans. Here, we extended the analysis to 33 directly measured and 13 derived glycosylation traits in 3533 individuals and identified three novel gene association (MGAT5, B3GAT1 and SLC9A9) as well as replicated the previous findings using an additional European cohort. MGAT5 (meta-analysis association P-value = 1.80 × 10(-10) for rs1257220) encodes a glycosyltransferase which is known to synthesize the associated glycans. In contrast, neither B3GAT1 (rs7928758, P = 1.66 × 10(-08)) nor SLC9A9 (rs4839604, P = 3.50 × 10(-13)) had previously been associated functionally with glycosylation of plasma proteins. Given the glucuronyl transferase activity of B3GAT1, we were able to show that glucuronic acid is present on antennae of plasma glycoproteins underlying the corresponding HPLC peak. SLC9A9 encodes a proton pump which affects pH in the endosomal compartment and it was recently reported that changes in Golgi pH can impair protein sialylation, giving a possible mechanism for the observed association.

Altered glycosylation and expression of plasma alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in rheumatoid arthritis

Altered glycosylation patterns in plasma proteins are found to be associated with the pathogenesis of various malignancies and autoimmune disorders. Our previous studies demonstrated the occurrence of some differentially glycosylated plasma proteins in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The current study was conducted to evaluate the alterations in expression and glycosylation of major acute phase proteins from wheat germ agglutinin enriched RA patients’ plasma. Immunoblotting studies revealed a significant enhancement in the plasma levels of alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and haptoglobin (Hp) in RA patients with respect to healthy controls. Monosaccharide analysis by high performance anion exchange-chromatography with pulse amperometric detection showed significant variations in the relative percentage of galactose, glucosamine and mannose in AGP and of mannose in Hp in RA patients. Altered patterns of mannosylation in AGP and Hp were also established by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting using Concanavalin-A lectin. These results could give information for understanding the disease pathogenesis and may provide an insight into the development and progression of the disease.

Investigation of albumin properties in patients with chronic renal failure

The aim of this study was the investigation of HSA properties and its structural changes after modification induced in vivo among patients with CRF who underwent haemodialysis. Application of different fluorescent dyes allowed the investigation of different regions of albumin molecule using ANS, bis-ANS, piren, piren maleimide and fluorescein isothiocyanate. As markers of oxidative modification, the total protein thiol, carbonyls, glycosylated plasma proteins and hydroperoxide were estimated in plasma. Additionally, this study investigated plasma viscosity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the plasma. Results show that haemodialysis provoked significant changes in conformational properties of plasma albumin, which resulted in the loss of its biological functions. These findings suggest that oxidative stress and glycation of proteins in plasma are developed during haemodialysis. The results depict that one of the features of uraemia is the presence of signs of oxidative stress before haemodialysis. Nevertheless, oxidative stress and glycation of proteins in plasma are exacerbated during haemodialysis and are a complex process.

631: Pregnancy-specific modulations in maternal plasma protein glycosylation patterns

631: Pregnancy-specific modulations in maternal plasma protein glycosylation patterns

Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography-Based High-Throughput Sample Preparation Method for N-Glycan Analysis from Total Human Plasma Glycoproteins

Many diseases are associated with changes in the glycosylation of plasma proteins. To search for glycan biomarkers, large sample sets have to be investigated for which high-throughput sample preparation and analysis methods are required. We here describe a 96 well plate-based high-throughput procedure for the rapid preparation of 2-aminobenzoic acid (2-AA) labeled N-glycans from 10 microL of human plasma. During this procedure, N-glycans are released from glycoproteins and subsequently labeled with 2-AA without prior purification. A hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC)-based solid phase extraction method is then applied to isolate the 2-AA labeled N-glycans, which can be analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS, HPLC with fluorescence detection, and CE-MS. The relative standard deviation for the intrabatch repeatability and the interbatch repeatability of the sample preparation method remained below 7% and below 9%, respectively, for all peaks observed by HPLC. Similar results were obtained with MALDI-TOF-MS, where 47 N-glycans could be measured consistently. The 2-AA labeled N-glycans were additionally analyzed by a CE-ESI-Q-TOF-MS method, which featured high resolution and mass accuracy, allowing the unambiguous determination of the N-glycan compositions. Up to four times, 96 human plasma samples can be handled in parallel, which, together with the versatility of the 2-AA label, makes this procedure very attractive for glycomics analysis of larger sample cohorts.

미생물에서 돼지 150-kDa Insulin-Like Growth Factor Complex의 Acid-Labile Subunit 발현

Acid-labile subunit(ALS)는 85-kDa 크기의 당단백질로서 7.5-kDa의 insulin-like growth factor(IGF) 및 40~45-kDa IGF-binding protein-3와 결합하여 150-kDa ternary complex를 형성하는 혈장단백질이다. 선행연구에서 본 연구진은 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) 방법으로 돼지(porcine) ALS(pALS)의 coding sequence를 합성하여 plasmid vector에 삽입시켜 ‘expression construct’를 제작한 바 있다. 그러나 본 expression construct의 pALS coding sequence에는 PCR error로 추정되는 원인으로 말미암아 2개의 bases에서 mis-sense mutation이 일어난 것이 발견되었다. 본 연구에서는 ‘site-directed mutagenesis’ 방법으로 pALS의 올바른 coding sequence를 합성하여 ‘insert DNA’의 마지막 codon 다음에 ‘His-tag’ sequence가 위치한 pET- 28a(+) plasmid expression vector에 삽입하였다. 본 expression construct는 E. coli BL21(DE3) 세포에서 ‘induction’ 시켰고, 발현된 유전자재조합(recombinant) peptide는 Ni-affinity chromato- graphy로 정제하였다. 이렇게 affinity chro- matography로 정제된 peptide는 SDS-PAGE에서 66kDa 위치에 single band를 나타냄으로써 recombinant pALS의 예상된 질량과 일치하였다. 이상의 결과는 본 연구에서 recombinant pALS peptide가 성공적으로 발현정제되었음을 시사한다. Acid-labile subunit(ALS) is a 85-kDa glycosylated plasma protein which forms a 150-kDa ternary complex with 7.5-kDa insulin-like growth factor(IGF) and 40~45-kDa IGF-binding protein-3. In a previous study, the present authors prepared a porcine ALS(pALS) expression construct by inserting a pALS coding sequence into a plasmid vector following synthesis of the sequence by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The expression construct, however, was subsequently found to have a mis-sense mutation at two bases of the pALS coding sequence which is presumed to have occurred through a PCR error. In the present study, the correct coding sequence was synthesized by the site-directed mutagenesis and inserted into the pET-28a(+) plasmid expression vector containing the His-tag sequence flanking the last codon of the insert DNA. After induction of the expression construct in E. coli BL21(DE3) cells, the resulting presumptive recombinant peptide was purified by the Ni-affinity chromatography. Upon SDS- PAGE, the affinity-purified peptide was resolved as a single band at a 66-kDa position which is consistent with the expected molecular mass of the presumptive recombinant pALS. Collectively, results indicate that a recombinant pALS peptide was successfully expressed and purified in the present study.

Post-translational processing of selenoprotein P: implications of glycosylation for its utilisation by target cells

Selenoprotein P (SeP) is a highly glycosylated plasma protein containing up to 10 selenocysteine residues. It is secreted by hepatocytes and also by the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Pharmacological inhibitors interfering with N-glycosylation, intracellular trafficking and calcium homeostasis were applied to examine post-translational processing and secretion of SeP by HepG2 cells. In parallel, the prototypic secretory glycoprotein alpha1-antitrypsin was used as technical control. Secretion of SeP was stimulated by increasing the extracellular calcium concentration and by inhibiting the release of sequestered calcium through dantrolene or U-73122. In contrast, brefeldin A and thapsigargin suppressed SeP secretion. Tunicamycin and monensin induced the synthesis of truncated non-glycosylated and partially glycosylated forms of SeP, which were secreted in spite of their impaired glycosylation. Both non-glycosylated and partially glycosylated SeP is utilised as selenium donor by target cells: impaired glycosylation affected neither the ability of SeP to induce the synthesis of the selenoenzyme cytosolic glutathione peroxidase nor its capacity to protect endothelial cells from oxidative stress.

Altered expression and glycosylation of plasma proteins in rheumatoid arthritis

Altered glycosylation of plasma proteins has been directly implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The present study investigated the changes in the Concanavalin-A (Con-A)-bound plasma proteins in the RA patients in comparison to that of the healthy controls. Two proteins (MW approximately 32 kDa and approximately 62 kDa) showed an alteration in expression while an altered monosaccharide profile (high mannose) was observed in the approximately 62 kDa protein in the samples collected from RA patients. The 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the Con-A-bound plasma samples showed a large number of protein spots, a few of which were differentially expressed in the RA patients. Some unidentified proteins were detected in the RA patients which were absent in the control samples. The present study, therefore, enunciates the role of carbohydrates as well as that of the acute phase response in the disease pathogenesis.

Complement regulatory protein C1 inhibitor binds to selectins and interferes with endothelial-leukocyte adhesion.

C1 inhibitor (C1INH), a member of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family, is an inhibitor of proteases in the complement system, the contact system of kinin generation, and the intrinsic coagulation pathway. It is the most heavily glycosylated plasma protein, containing 13 definitively identified glycosylation sites as well as an additional 7 potential glycosylation sites. C1INH consists of two distinct domains: a serpin domain and an amino-terminal domain. The serpin domain retains all the protease-inhibitory function, while the amino-terminal domain bears most of the glycosylation sites. The present studies test the hypothesis that plasma C1INH bears sialyl Lewis(x)-related moieties and therefore binds to selectin adhesion molecules. We demonstrated that plasma C1INH does express sialyl Lewis(x)-related moieties on its N-glycan as detected using mAb HECA-452 and CSLEX1. The data also show that plasma C1INH can bind to P- and E-selectins by FACS and immunoprecipitation experiments. In a tissue culture model of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion, C1INH showed inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Significant inhibition (>50%) was achieved at a concentration of 250 micro g/ml or higher. This discovery may suggest that C1INH plays a role in the endothelial-leukocyte interaction during inflammation. It may also provide another example of the multifaceted anti-inflammatory effects of C1INH in various animal models and human diseases.

Glycated high-density lipoprotein regulates reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in endothelial cells

Nonenzymatic glycosylation of plasma proteins may contribute to the excess risk of developing atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. Although it is believed that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is glycosylated at an increased level in diabetic individuals, little is known about a possible linkage between glycated HDL and endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. To clarify whether glucose-modified HDL affects the function of endothelial cells, we first examined herein the level of H2O2 generation from cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) exposed to a glycated oxidized HDL (gly-ox-HDL) prepared in vitro. Incubation for 48 hours with 100 μg/mL of gly-ox-HDL induced significant release of H2O2 from cells and gly-ox-HDL–induced H2O2 formation was inhibited in the presence of diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. In addition, stimulation of HAECs with gly-ox-HDL for 48 hours elicited a marked downregulation of catalase and Cu2+, Zn2+-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), suggesting H2O2 formation by gly-ox-HDL to be due to a disturbance involving oxidant and antioxidant enzymes in the cells. Treatment of HAECs with gly-ox-HDL attenuated the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), but not inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and this was followed by decreased production of nitric oxide (NO) by the cells. Furthermore, in vitro experiments with glycated HDL (gly-HDL) in the presence of 2 mmol/L EDTA and Cu2+-oxidized HDL suggested the effect of gly-HDL on endothelial function to be possibly potentiated by additional oxidative modification. Taking all of the above findings together, gly-ox-HDL may lead to the deterioration of vascular function through altered production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in endothelial cells. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Structure–Function Studies on β2-glycoprotein I

Human β2-glycoprotein I is a heavily glycosylated plasma protein which has been implicated in the binding of antiphospholipid antibodies to negatively charged phospholipids; a process considered as an important risk factor for the development of thrombosis. We have solved the crystal structure of β2-glycoprotein I. In this review we will discuss what the three-dimensional structure teaches us about the role of β2-glycoprotein I in the pathogenesis of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

The Involvement of β2-Glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) in Human and Murine Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial process, the hallmark of which is fat deposition in the vessel wall. Autoimmune factors have recently been shown to play an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis; candidate autoantigens are oxidized lipids and heat shock proteins. β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) is a highly glycosylated plasma protein that serves as a major antigenic target for autoimmune type antiphospholipid antibodies. Its major relevant property is binding to negatively charged phospholipids/surfaces. In the set of studies presented in this paper, we provide evidence pointing towards β2-GPI as an influential determinant in murine and human atherogenesis. Thus, immunization of transgenic atherosclerosis-prone mice (apolipoprotein E and low-density lipoprotein receptor knockouts) with human β2-GPI results in a brisk and sustained respective response that extends to cross-react with the ‘self’ murine β2-GPI. Atherosclerosis is accelerated in both strains concomitant with the infiltration of CD4 lymphocytes in the aortic sinus of the mice. When human plaques were studied, it was found that β2-GPI resides in the subendothelial regions and co-localizes with CD4 lymphocytes. Thus, the immune response towards β2-GPI may play an important role in atherogenesis, serving as a possible target for antigen specific therapies.

Carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndromes: inborn errors of protein glycosylation.

The carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein (CDG) syndromes (CDGS) are a series of autosomal recessive enzyme deficiencies which result in incomplete glycosylation of plasma proteins. CDGS types Ia and Ib have been related to deficiencies of phosphomannomutase and phosphomannose isomerase, respectively, while CDGS type II results from a deficiency of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II. Secondary CDG syndromes are associated with galactosaemia and hereditary fructose intolerance. The diagnosis of CDGS is most easily made by studying the glycoforms of suitable marker proteins using either electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing. This paper reviews the structure of the glycan chains of proteins and structural alterations in CDGS. It also outlines analytical techniques which are useful in the laboratory study of protein glycoforms and the diagnosis of CDGS.