Sulfated Mucopolysaccharides Research Articles

Antiviral Activity of a Sulphated Polysaccharide Extracted from the Marine Pseudomonas and Marine Plant Dinoflagellata against Human Immunodeficiency Viruses and other Enveloped Viruses

A natural sulphated mucopolysaccharide (OKU40), extracted from a marine plant Dinoflagellata, and an artificial sulphated polysaccharide (OKU41), prepared from a marine Pseudomonas, displayed antiviral activities against several enveloped viruses. OKU40 and OKU41 were found to be homogenous in electrophoresis and sedimation velocity and had a molecular weight of 8.0 × 1065.0 × 105respectively. The sulphation rate of OKU40 and OKU41 was 8.9% and 5.4%, respectively. Each OKU40 and OKU41 inhibited the cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), type 2 (HIV-2) and zidovudineresistant HIV-1 in MT-4 cells at similar concentrations to those of dextran sulphate (molecular weight: 5000) (50% inhibitory concentrations: 0.86-1.95 μg mL−1), whereas these compounds did not affect the growth and viability of mock-infected MT-4 cells at concentrations up to 500 μg mL−1. These compounds proved inhibitory not only to HIV-1 and HIV-2 but also to other enveloped viruses, i.e. herpes simplex virus type 1, influenza virus A and B, respiratory syncytial virus and measles virus. OKU40 and OKU41 suppressed syncytium formation induced by cocultivation of MOLT-4/IIIb and MOLT-4 cells at concentrations higher than 20 μg mL−1. Although OKU41 inhibited the binding of HIV-1 to the host cells and the binding of anti-gp120 monoclonal antibody to HIV-1 gp120, OKU40 did not inhibit these bindings, suggesting that the mechanism of anti-HIV activity of OKU40 and OKU41 may be primarily due to the inhibition of virus-cell fusion and viral adsorption to the host cells, respectively. Furthermore, these compounds did not inhibit to the blood coagulation process at a concentration that was significantly inhibitory to HIV replication. The compounds appear to have an interesting potential as virucidal agents.

The effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the development of the skeletal system in rats

The authors wished to clarify the cause of micro- and phocomelia developing in rat fetuses following administration of acetylsalicylic acid. It has been proved by histological examinations that the positive ground substance of the epiphyseal cartilage, detected by Rivanol reaction, became disarranged or negative. The sulphation of glycosaminoglycans was diminished or inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid in the chondrocytes depending on the dose applied. The conclusion has been drawn that the malformation developed is due to the reduced production of sulphated mucopolysaccharides.

Gross structure of the respiratory organs and dimensions of the gill in the mud–skipper, Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Bleeker)

In Periopkrlialnwdon scldosseri the respiratory organs consist of the gills, the suprabranchial and opercular chambers. The gills are more suited for aerial than aquatic respiration as is shown by the presence of the vascular papillae, blood sinusesand dilated blood vessels in their lamellae. The gill lamellae possess a surface coat of sulphated mucopolysaccharides that prevents water loss during exposure to the air. The filaments of the outer hemibranchs in the first gill arch are reduced to nearly one quarter of those of its posterior hemibranch. The gill area in relation to body weight shows a high slope value (b=0·93).

The Pathogenicity, Localization, and Cyst Structure of Echinostomatid Metacercariae (Trematoda) Infecting the Kidneys of the Frogs Rana clamitans and Rana pipiens

Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the localization and pathogenicity of echinostomatid metacercariae infecting the kidneys of leopard frogs, Rana pipiens, and green frogs, Rana clamitans. Cysts occurred predominantly in the ventrolateral renal cortex, and at least some were confined to the lumen of the Bowman's capsules. Each vermiform metacercarial body was enclosed by a spherical cyst wall that had a uniform thickness. The wall was composed of a homogeneous material containing basic and keratinlike proteins, with sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides on the outer surface. Most cysts were enclosed by a fibrous capsule of host origin, or were surrounded by an inflammatory focus. Fibrosis was always focal, but its degree varied between individual hosts and between different cysts within the same host. Some heavily encapsulated cysts were darkened and contained disintegrating worms. In heavily infected kidneys, confluence of fibrotic or inflammatory foci resulted in the displacement of functional renal tissue. These data suggest that infection by echinostomatids may impair renal function and that the host's response affects parasite viability.

The Effect of Strontium on Embryonic Calcification of Aplysia californica.

During embryogenesis of the marine opisthobranch gastropod Aplysia californica Cooper, 1863, there is a brief critical time (window) during which strontium is essential for the onset of calcification. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of this element in mineralization. Strontium performed no structural function; deformed shells of strontium-deprived animals had normal atomic crystal structure and the element was excluded during calcification. Calcium deposition and fixation was reduced by approximately 80% in the absence of strontium but was not significantly altered in the presence of sub-optimal concentrations of this metal ion despite dramatic deficits in shell and statolith morphology. This suggests that calcium deficiency per se is not responsible for deficits induced by strontium deprivation. The reduced total calcium may be a secondary effect resulting from the complete inhibition of precipitation. Strontium did not modulate total alkaline phosphatase activity or total sulfated mucopolysaccharide synthesis during embryogenesis, and no morphological abnormalities of the organic shell were observed. Although the role of strontium in embryonic calcification of Aplysia californica remains enigmatic, these data suggest that strontium affects a highly discrete regulatory component because these more general indicators of calcification and differentiation are unaffected by its absence.

Organogenesis of the Harderian gland inRana esculentaandBufo viridis

Abstract The Harderian gland of Rana esculenta and Bufo viridis originates from an ingrowing of the conjunctival epithelium at the medial corner of the orbit, at stage 28 of Witschi's standard tables. This primordium organizes into acini at stage 29–30 in Kana esculenta and at stage 30 in Bufo viridis. Afterwards, the glandular cells lengthen and the diameters of the acinar lumina become narrower. Forty days after climax, the Harderian gland reaches adult morphology. The onset of the secretory activity at climax is marked by the appearance of ≪blue nuclei≫ in a significant number of glandular cells (10%). This unusual staining of the nuclei, which stain orange with the Mallory trichrome method, has been correlated with an increased rate of RNA synthesis. The secretory granules of the glandular cells are only PAS‐positive at stage 29–31 but become also Alcian‐positive at metamorphic climax (stage 33), indicating the presence at the latter stage of sulphated mucopolysaccharides, as it has been described in ...

The use of cationic cacodylate iron colloid for the histochemical staining of acid mucopolysaccharides in human submandibular gland.

Both ferric hydroxide-cacodylate colloid (Fe-Cac) and a fine-grain one (Fe-Cac-f) are stable and carry positive charges over a wide range of pH. Using the colloid solution, some reliable information about the histochemical staining of acid mucopolysaccharides in human submandibular gland tissue could be obtained. Fe-Cac staining at pH 2 followed by Prussian blue reaction showed a diffuse blue staining of mucus acini, the intensity of which was equal to that of the staining at pH 4, clearly showing the sulfated mucopolysaccharides in the mucin. Most of serous acini were stained as blue granules in their cytoplasm. Fe-Cac-f staining gave a more distinct deep color by the Prussian blue reaction to the components, because of a superior diffusibility of the colloid into tissues. By Fe-Cac-f staining at pH 2 diffusely stained substances were found in the intercalated and striated ducts, showing the accumulation or passage of the secretions. The method will be useful for histochemical researchers in the oral field, in place of Alcian blue and its critical electrolyte concentration method.

Mucus-secreting Glands in the Paragnaths and second Maxillipeds of the Banana Prawn, Penaeus merguiensis de Man

Glands are abundant in the paragnaths and distal endopod segments of the second maxillipeds of Penaeus merguiensis. Seven gland types have been identified and their secretions differentiated into acidic sulfated mucopolysaccharides and carboxylated mucopolysaccharides. In the paragnaths secretions are discharged through groups of pores on the oral and aboral surfaces, and in the second maxillipeds through a dense row of pores on the aboral surface at the propodus-dactylus articulation. Glands are not sexually dimorphic and glandular morphology does not change during the moult cycle. Glandular products probably have a role in feeding by lubricating large particles and entangling particulate matter in mucus.

Competition for hydrogen between sulphate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic bacteria from the human large intestine.

Sulphate-reducing activity in human faecal slurries was followed by measuring sulphide production. Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were found to outcompete methanogenic bacteria (MB) for the mutual substrate hydrogen in faecal slurries from methane- and non-methane-producing individuals mixed together. When molybdate (20 mmol/l) was added to these slurries, sulphate reduction was inhibited and methanogenesis became the major route of electron disposal. Sulphide production was stimulated by the addition of 20 mmol/l sulphate in non-methanogenic but not in methanogenic slurries. In methanogenic slurries that contained the methanogen inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulphonic acid (BES), hydrogen accumulated whilst sulphide levels were unaffected, confirming the absence of SRB in methanogenic faeces. The addition of nitrate (10 mmol/l) to faecal slurries completely inhibited methanogenesis but only slightly reduced sulphate reduction. The sulphated mucopolysaccharides, chondroitin sulphate and mucin, strongly stimulated sulphide production in non-methanogenic faecal slurries only, suggesting that these substances may be a potential source of sulphate in the large gut.

Structural properties of the heparin-binding domains of human apolipoprotein E.

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) and apolipoprotein E (apoE) are the major protein constituents of human plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons (1-4). Apofe-100 and apoE mediate the cellular uptake of these lipoproteins by binding to specific membrane receptors on hepatic and extrahepatic tissues. In addition, apoB-100 and apoE interact with sulfated mucopolysaccharides, e.g. glycosaminoglycans (GAG), of arterial tissue (5-10) and with heparin (11). The interaction of apoB-100 and apoE containing lipoproteins with GAG of the extracellular matrix may contribute to the accumulation of cholesterol in the arterial wall and, hence, promote atherosclerosis (12).KeywordsHuman ApolipoproteinHelical WheelSpecific Membrane ReceptorHepatic Triglyceride LipaseMajor Protein ConstituentThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Light and electron microscopy of rabbit testes infected with Treponema pallidum (Nichols strain): nature of deposited mucopolysaccharides and localisation of treponemes.

The mucopolysaccharide nature of the material deposited in rabbit testes infected with Treponema pallidum was confirmed by histochemical staining with alcian blue. Differential staining of mucopolysaccharides showed the presence of sulphated mucopolysaccharides as an almost constant feature, whereas in little more than half of the orchitic testes studied variable deposits of hyaluronic acid were seen. The treponemes were almost exclusively present in the areas rich in mucopolysaccharide. A combination staining with the Warthin-Starry method and alcian blue showed treponemes in close association with pre-existing fibrils and cells contained in these fibrils. The latter findings were confirmed by electron microscopy, and the fibroblasts to which treponemes adhered displayed the characteristics of activated cells. The close parallel between the histopathological changes observed here and their descriptions in published reports shows that our specific strain still behaves the same as the original Nichols pathogenic strain of T pallidum.

Amino acid metabolism during the anabolic phase of severely burned patients: with special reference to sulphur amino acids.

Owing to the high content of cyst(e)ine and sulphated mucopolysaccharides in skin tissues, an increased demand for sulphur amino acids could be expected during the anabolic phase in severely burned patients. As a marker for sulphur amino acid deficiency, leucocyte glutathione, methionine and taurine concentrations and urinary excretion of sulphur amino acids and inorganic sulphate were followed in five severely burned patients during a 5-month period (1-6 months post injury). Reduced leucocyte concentrations of glutathione, methionine and taurine, and decreased urinary excretion of inorganic sulphate, methionine, cyst(e)ine and taurine were observed, and were most pronounced 2 or 3 months after injury. Simultaneously a minor decrease in urinary output and leucocyte concentration of branched-chain amino acids and serine were also found, whereas normal levels of glycine, threonine, and glutamine were registered. The episode of limited availability of sulphur amino acids coincides with the period of most intensive collagen and keratin resynthesis of burned skin tissue.

Evidence for rapid histamine turnover and loss of histamine from immature rat mast cells

Histamine synthetic activity which is high in young mast cells decreases as the cells mature [Beaven et al., J. Pharmac. exp. Ther. 224, 620 (1983)]. In this study we show that a substantial proportion of newly formed histamine in young mast cells leaked to the extracellular environment. The cells acquired the full ability to sequester newly formed histamine once the numbers of intracellular granules and the supply of sulfated mucopolysaccharide material within them had increased. Rat peritoneal mast cells were separated into successive fractions of increasing size and maturity by counter current elutriation. Loss of histamine from fractions of immature cells was demonstrated by a progressive accumulation of histamine in the medium without any decrease in intracellular histamine content. The estimated turnover time of histamine was less than 10 hr. In fractions of more mature cells, the proportion of cellular histamine released into the medium was substantially lower, giving estimated turnover times of 20 hr or longer. Studies with radiolabeled histidine also indicated that little, if any, newly formed histamine was lost from fractions of mature cells. Both release of endogenous histamine and formation of radiolabeled histamine from labeled histidine were inhibited by the histidine decarboxylase inhibitor α-fluorotnethylhistidine (10 μM). Histamine turnover times were similar in the presence or absence of external histidine, a possible indication that the supply of intracellular histidine was sufficient to maintain normal histamine synthetic activity.

Heparin: Do We Understand Its Antithrombotic Actions?

Heparin: Do We Understand Its Antithrombotic Actions?

Modern pterobranchs: observations on their behaviour and tube building

Summary There is a considerable difference in the ultrastructure of fusellar tissue between fossil graptolites and modern pterobranchs. The phylogenetic significance of these differences is uncertain. It was thought that the ultrastructure of the earliest, and therefore probably the simplest, stage of formation of the pterobranch prosiculum might provide additional relevant clues. The larva escapes from the original dome-shaped seal by producing a hole, and immediately produces a series of fuselli around the aperture. The zooid uses the cephalic shield to construct the tube. The size of the original fuselli is very variable, but soon achieves adult size. The fuselli are very similar to those of adult erect tubes, and have oblique sutures. There is much extraneous material incorporated into the wall. It is proposed that the fibrils of the stroma of the coenecium somehow mature after they have been secreted. Histochemical tests suggest that the stroma contains a considerable amount of acid and sulphated mucopolysaccharides. Tests for chitin and keratin have been uniformly negative. Similar positive histochemical reactions have been achieved on the cephalic shield. Adult tube building and repair are reported for the first time.

In vitro inhibition of rat arterial smooth muscle cell growth by extractive sulfated mucopolysaccharides

The effect of a sulfared mucopolysaccharide mixture of known composition, extracted from pig duodenum, was studied on the proliferation of rat arterial smooth muscle cells cultured from rat aorta. Cell growth, stimulated by fetal calf serum, was monitored by direct cell count and by determination with commercial heparin, with heparin with different electrophoretic mobilities in barium acetate and with dermatan and heparan sulfates. Heparins and the extractive mucopolysaccharide mixture inhibited cell growth measured at various time intervals, and in their presence the proliferation of smooth muscle cells plateaued at lower cell densities. Dermatan and heparan sulfates were either inactive or significantly less effective than the other mucopolysaccharides. A short preincubation (3 h) of smooth muscle cells with the extractive mixture, followed by incubation with the growing medium with no mucopolysaccharides added, slowed the cell growing rate, suggesting an interaction of the mixture components with the cell surface.

67Ga-binding substances in abscess and normal tissues.

Abscess-induced animals and normal animals were treated with 67Ga-citrate. Abscess, kidney, heart, lung, and spleen were excised and homogenized. After removal of the nuclear fraction, each of these homogenates was digested with protease. After digestion, the supernatants of the reaction mixtures were applied to a Sephadex G-100 column. Resultant eluates were analyzed for radioactivity, protein, uronic acids, and sialic acids. Sodium sulfate-35S was administered to animals that were then treated by the same procedure as that followed for animals treated with 67Ga-citrate. In abscess, kidney, lung, heart, and spleen, sizeable amounts of 67Ga had been bound to the sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides with molecular weights of about 10,000, and to the sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides, a species whose molecular weights exceeded 40,000. Based on the results presented here, it is clear that 67Ga-binding substances in abscess and also in the above four organs are sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides.

Histological and histochemical studies of the secretory components of the salamander olfactory mucosa: effects of isoproterenol and olfactory nerve section.

Secretory components of the salamander olfactory mucosa, sustentacular cells (SC), and Bowman's glands (BG), were examined histologically and histochemically. In the aquatic larval salamander, SC in sensory grooves contained secretory granules; the submucosa contained a single layer of homogeneous, ductless glands. In the land-dwelling adult salamander, SC spanning a flat epithelial sheet contained vesicles. Subjacent to the epithelium in both dorsal and ventral mucosae lay BG whose ducts opened at the surface of the epithelium. In the ventral mucosa, two additional layers of olfactory glands (OG) lying below the BG were identified; ducts were not observed in association with the OG. The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol caused depletion of secretory granules from BG and OG of larval, young, and adult salamanders but had no discernible effect on SC. Histochemical techniques (Alcian blue at pH 2.5 and pH 1.0, high-iron diamine, and the periodic acid-Schiff reaction) demonstrated that SC contained neutral, acidic, and small amounts of sulfated mucopolysaccharides (MPS), BG and OG contained only neutral MPS. In contrast, glands under adjacent respiratory epithelium contained both acidic and sulfated MPS. Unilateral olfactory nerve section ( ONX ) caused changes in the histochemical reactivity of acidic and sulfated MPS in SC on the ipsilateral and later on the contralateral side. Neutral MPS staining became enhanced first in the OG that lay under the BG, then in BG cells, and later in the deepest OG layer. Ipsilateral changes preceded contralateral ones. At 24 days post- ONX , some acinar cells in the deep OG contained acidic but not sulfated MPS.

Heparin and plasma proteinase inhibitors: influence of heparin on the inhibition of thrombin by alpha 2 macroglobulin.

Heparin is a substance extracted from animal tissues, formed by acidic carbohydrate long chains polymers (amino sugar containing sulfated mucopolysaccharides). It is used in therapy for its powerful anticoagulant activity (1). In fact the mucopolysaccharide achieves a dramatical increase of the reaction velocity between proteinases of the clotting system and at least two plasma proteinase inhibitors: antithrombin III (2,3) and heparin cofactor II more recently described (4,5).

Observations on the mucopolysaccharides in the mantle ofBarbatia obliquata (Gray) (Arcidae)

InBarbatia obliquata the mantle edge is divided into three folds as in most other lamellibranchs. Two types of gland cells are noticed in the mantle; epithelial and sub-epithelial. The epithelial glands include mucous glands, mucoprotein glands and lipid glands. The epithelial mucous glands secrete metachromatic, alcianophilic sulphated mucopolysaccharides. The sub-epithelial mucous glands are classified into two categories, according to their histochemical reactions. Some of them secrete non-metachromatic, alcianophilic sulphated mucopolysaccharides and the others secrete mucosubstances which are carboxylated.