ABSTRACT
Integrins are a family of heterodimeric transmembrane receptors which link the extracellular matrix to the cell cytoskeleton. These receptors play a role in many cellular processes: adhesion, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and platelet aggregation, thus modulating a wide range of scenarios in health and disease. Therefore, integrins have been the target of new antithrombotic drugs. Disintegrins from snake venoms are recognized by the ability to modulate the activity of integrins, such as integrin αIIbß3, a fundamental platelet glycoprotein, and αvß3 expressed on tumor cells. For this reason, disintegrins are unique and potential tools for examining integrin-matrix interaction and the development of novel antithrombotic agents. The present study aims to obtain the recombinant form of jararacin and evaluate the secondary structure and its effects on hemostasis and thrombosis. rJararacin was expressed in the Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) expression system and purified the recombinant protein with a yield of 40 mg/L of culture. The molecular mass (7722 Da) and internal sequence were confirmed by mass spectrometry. Structure and folding analysis were obtained by Circular Dichroism and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra. Disintegrin structure reveals properly folded with the presence of ß-sheet structure. rJararacin significantly demonstrated inhibition of the adhesion of B16F10 cells and platelets to the fibronectin matrix under static conditions. rJararacin inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP (IC50 95 nM), collagen (IC50 57 nM), and thrombin (IC50 22 nM) in a dose-dependent manner. This disintegrin also inhibited 81% and 94% of the adhesion of platelets to fibrinogen and collagen under continuous flow, respectively. In addition, rjararacin efficaciously prevents platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo with rat platelets and thrombus occlusion at an effective dose (5 mg/kg). The data here provides evidence that rjararacin possesses the potential as an αIIbß3 antagonist, capable of preventing arterial thrombosis.
Subject(s)
Crotalid Venoms , Thrombosis , Rats , Animals , Disintegrins/pharmacology , Disintegrins/chemistry , Disintegrins/metabolism , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/pharmacology , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/chemistry , Crotalid Venoms/chemistry , Crotalid Venoms/pharmacology , Platelet Aggregation , Hemostasis , Integrins/metabolism , Thrombosis/drug therapyABSTRACT
Cationic dyes such as toluidin blue are commonly employed to visualize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on electrophoresis gels; however, the carbocyanine-based dye Stains-all have been increasingly used to stain the non-sulfated hyaluronic acid and other GAGs in submicrogram quantities. In this short communication, we demonstrate that Stains-all is able to stain the most common GAGs on polyacrylamide gels with distinct and contrasting colors in a reproducible manner. We also show that this staining method is useful to identify GAGs present both in mixtures and in submicrogram quantities. Therefore, Stains-all has shown to be useful in identifying GAGs on polyacrylamide gels with basis on their specific colors, at least on screening level.
Subject(s)
Carbocyanines/chemistry , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel/methods , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Glycosaminoglycans/analysis , Tolonium ChlorideABSTRACT
Ascidians are marine invertebrates that synthesize sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within their viscera. Ascidian GAGs are considered analogues of mammalian GAGs and possess great potential as bioactive compounds, presenting antitumoral and anticoagulant activity. Due to its worldwide occurrence and, therefore, being a suitable organism for large-scale mariculture in many marine environments, our main objectives are to study Microcosmus exasperatus GAGs regarding composition, structure, and biological activity. We also aim to develop efficient protocols for sulfated polysaccharides extraction and purification for large-scale production and clinical applications. GAGs derived from M. exasperatus viscera were extracted by proteolytic digestion, purified by ion-exchange liquid chromatography, and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis and enzymatic treatments. Anticoagulant activity was evaluated by APTT assays. Antitumoral activity was assessed in an in vitro model of tumor cell culture using MTT, clonogenic, and wound healing assays, respectively. Our results show that M. exasperatus presents three distinct polysaccharides; among them, two were identified: a dermatan sulfate and a fucosylated dermatan sulfate. Antitumoral activity was confirmed for the total polysaccharides (TP). While short-term incubation does not affect tumor cell viability at low concentrations, long-term TP incubation decreases LLC tumor cell growth/proliferation at different concentrations. In addition, TP decreased tumor cell migration at different concentrations. In conclusion, we state that M. exasperatus presents great potential as an alternative GAG source, producing compounds with antitumoral properties at low concentrations that do not possess anticoagulant activity and do not enhance other aspects of malignancy, such as tumor cell migration. Our perspectives are to apply these molecules in future preclinical studies for cancer treatment as antitumoral agents to be combined with current treatments to potentiate therapeutic efficacy.
ABSTRACT
Scedosporium and Lomentospora are a group of filamentous fungi with some clinically relevant species causing either localized, invasive, or disseminated infections. Understanding how the host immune response is activated and how fungi interact with the host is crucial for a better management of the infection. In this context, an α-glucan has already been described in S. boydii, which plays a role in the inflammatory response. In the present study, an α-glucan has been characterized in L. prolificans and was shown to be exposed on the fungal surface. The α-glucan is recognized by peritoneal macrophages and induces oxidative burst in activated phagocytes. Its recognition by macrophages is mediated by receptors that include Dectin-1 and Mincle, but not TLR2 and TLR4. These results contribute to the understanding of how Scedosporium's and Lomentospora's physiopathologies are developed in patients suffering with scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Marine algae are natural sources of macromolecules known as sulfated polysaccharides. This class of compounds has attracted the interest of Pharmaceutical Sciences due to its pharmacological anticoagulant, antiplatelet and antithrombotic properties. Therefore, this study evaluated the anticoagulant potential of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from the algae Penicillus capitatus. The extracted sulfated polysaccharides were purified, partially characterized and their anticoagulant activity was evaluated. The extraction process followed by ethanol precipitation resulted in five fractions. Among the analyzed fractions, F44 contained highest concentration of sulfated polysaccharides. After the purified fraction F23, F44 displayed in vitro anticoagulant activity in a time testing for activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time. The preferential mechanism effect was based on interactions between thrombin and factor Xa. Additional studies on structure pharmacological are required to test the viability of the use of sulfated polysaccharides as therapeutic agents.
RESUMO: As algas marinhas são fontes naturais de macromoléculas conhecidas como polissacarídeos sulfatados. Esta classe de compostos atraiu o interesse das Ciências Farmacêuticas devido às suas propriedades farmacológicas como anticoagulante, antiplaquetária e antitrombótica. Portanto, este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial anticoagulante de polissacarídeos sulfatados extraídos de algas de Penicillus capitatus. Os polissacarídeos sulfatados extraídos foram purificados, parcialmente caracterizados e sua atividade anticoagulante foi avaliada. O processo de extração seguido pela precipitação com etanol resultou em cinco frações. Entre as frações analisadas, F44 foi a maior concentração de polissacarídeos sulfatados. Após a purificação, as frações F23 e F44 mostraram atividade anticoagulante in vitro em um teste de tempo de tromboplastina parcialmente ativada e tempo de protrombina. Seu mecanismo preferencial é baseado nas interações entre trombina e fator Xa. Estudos adicionais sobre a estrutura farmacológica são necessários para testar a viabilidade do uso como agente terapêutico.
ABSTRACT
A. muscoides (Rhodophyta) has three polysulfated fractions (-1, -2 and Am-3). Am-2 displayed anti -inflammation and serpin-independent anticoagulation effects; however, no effect of oligomers on thrombin-generation (TG) has been demonstrated. This study employed mild-acid hydrolysis to obtain low-molecular-size derivatives from Am-2 and compared in vitro inhibitory effects between intact Am-2 and its hydrolysates on a TG assay. The polysaccharidic extract was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose that revealed Am-2 eluted with 0.75-M NaCl containing sulfate (23%), hexoses (51%) and absence of proteins, and indicating, by one-dimension nuclear magnetic resonance, structure of galactan similar to that of the extract. The depolymerization with HCl (0.02 or 0.04-M, 60°C) for different times progressively reduced the charge density and the molecular-size of Am-2 based on electrophoresis in agarose and polyacrylamide gels, respectively, where at higher acid concentration and critical time up to 5h yielded fragment of Ì´14-kDa similar to that of unfractionated heparin (UHEP). Regarding the TG assay, intact Am-2 inhibited concentration- dependent intrinsic pathway, whereas its hydrolysates abolished it like UHEP, except the analog fragment (92.87% inhibition), when in 60-fold diluted human plasma using chromogenic method in a continuous system. The results reveal an alternative approach for the production of oligosaccharides from A. muscoides with TG inhibition.
A rodofícea A. muscoides possui três frações polissulfatadas (-1, -2 e Am-3). Am-2 mostrou efeito anti-inflamação e anticoagulação independente de serpina. Entretanto, não se demonstrou efeito de oligômeros sobre ensaio de geração de trombina (GT) . Este estudo empregou hidrólise ácida branda para obter derivados de tamanho molecular baixo de Am -2 e os efeitos inibitórios in vitro entre Am-2 intacta e hidrolisados comparados sobre um ensaio de GT. O extrato polissacarídico, fracionado por DEAE-celulose, revelou Am-2 eluída com NaCl-0,75M contendo sulfato (23%), hexoses (51%) e destituída de proteínas. E, ainda, por ressonância magnética nuclear-unidimensional, indicando galactana semelhante a do extrato. A depolimerização com HCl (0,02 ou 0,04-M; 60°C) reduziu, progressivamente durante tempos diferentes, a densidade de carga e o tamanho molecular de Am-2 baseada nas eletroforeses em géis de agarose e de poliacrilamida, respectivamente, em que, concentração ácida elevada e tempo crítico de até 5h renderam fragmento de Ì´14-kDa semelhante ao da heparina não fracionada (HEPNF). Já no ensaio de GT, Am-2 intacta, quando em plasma humano diluído 60 vezes, usando método cromogênico por meio de sistema contínuo, quem inibiu a via intrínseca dependente de concentração, ao passo que seus hidrolisados aboliram como HEPNF, exceto fragmento análogo (inibição 92,87%). Os resultados revelam uma abordagem alternativa para produzir oligossacarídeos de A. muscoides com inibição de GT.
Subject(s)
Rhodophyta , ThrombinABSTRACT
Marine sulfated polysaccharides (MSP), such as sulfated fucans (SF), sulfated galactans (SG) and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) isolated from either algae or invertebrate animals, are highly anionic polysaccharides capable of interacting with certain cationic proteins, such as (co)-factors of the coagulation cascade during clotting-inhibition processes. These molecular complexes between MSP and coagulation-related proteins might, at first glance, be assumed to be driven mostly by electrostatic interactions. However, a systematic comparison using several novel sulfated polysaccharides composed of repetitive oligosaccharides with clear sulfation patterns has shown that these molecular interactions are regulated essentially by the stereochemistry of the glycans (which depends on a conjunction of anomericity, monosaccharide, conformational preference, and glycosylation and sulfation sites), rather than just a simple consequence of their negative charge density (mainly the number of sulfate groups). Here, we present an overview of the structure-function relationships of MSP, correlating their structures with their potential anticoagulant and antithrombotic actions, since pathologies related to the cardiovascular system are one of the major causes of illness and mortality in the world.
ABSTRACT
Red algae sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) have been widely described as anticoagulant and antithrombotic agents; however no description of antithrombotic activity regarding green algae SPs has been reported. Caulerpa cupressoides (Chlorophyta) has three different SPs fractions (SP1, SP2 and SP3). We investigated the effects of SP2 on thrombin activity by antithrombin and in an experimental model of venous thrombosis in rats. The inhibition of thrombin assay was evaluated using antithrombin (AT) in the presence of SP2 and the antithrombotic activity was investigated in rats with thromboplastin as the thrombogenic stimulus. The anticoagulant effects of SP2 are suggested be due to the potentiation of thrombin inhibition by antithrombin (IC50 ~ 10.0µg mL-1) and this mechanism of interaction is different when compared to other studied Caulerpa polysaccharides. SP2 exhibited antithrombotic effects at doses of 1.0 and 2.0mg kg-1 body weight, but at higher doses (>2.0mg kg-1 body weight) this polysaccharide revert the antithrombotic property. No hemorrhagic effect (2.0mg kg-1) was observed. As occurs with red algae SPs, these results indicate that green algae SPs are also capable of exhibiting different in vivo properties.
Os polissacarídeos sulfatados (PSs) de algas vermelhas têm sido relatados mundialmente como agentes anticoagulantes e antitrombóticos. Entretanto, nenhuma descrição de atividade antitrombótica tem sido relacionada com os PSs de algas verdes. A clorofícea Caulerpa cupressoides possui três frações de PSs (PS1; PS2 e PS3). Dessa forma, objetivou-se investigar os efeitos da fração PS2 sobre a atividade da trombina por antitrombina e usando um modelo experimental de trombose venosa em ratos. O ensaio de inibição da trombina foi avaliado usando a antitrombina (AT) na presença de PS2 e a atividade antitrombótica foi investigada em ratos, usando a tromboplastina como o estímulo trombogênico. Os efeitos anticoagulantes de PS2 devem-se provavelmente à sua potência de inibir a trombina mediada pela AT (IC50 ~ 10,0µg mL-1) e esse mecanismo de interação é diferente, comparado ao de outros polissacarídeos de Caulerpa estudados. PS2 exibiu efeitos antitrombóticos nas doses de 1,0 e 2,0mg kg-1 peso corpóreo, mas em doses mais elevadas (>2,0mg kg-1 peso corpóreo) esse polissacarídeo exibe efeitos pró-trombóticos. Também não foi observado nenhum efeito hemorrágico (2,0mg kg-1). Assim como ocorre com os PSs de algas vermelhas, os resultados indicam que os PSs de algas verdes também possuem atividades biológicas distintas in vivo.
ABSTRACT
Alternative sources of anticoagulants have arisen as a result of the increasing demand for safer anticoagulant clinical therapy, and the sulfated polysaccharides of seaweeds have gained attention in biomedicine. In this study, crude sulfated polysaccharide fractions (denominated Hf1, Hf2 and Hf3) were obtained from the red marine alga Halymenia floresia and the anticoagulant properties of a soluble crude polysaccharide fraction (Hf2s) were assayed. The three differential extractions yielded 38.6%. The polysaccharides are composed mainly of galactose, with small amounts of xylose and glucose. The anticoagulant properties of Hf2s containing 53.8% sulfate and 3% protein was also compared to those of heparin (193.0 IU mg-1) by assays of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) using normal human plasma. Hf2s showed a higher anticoagulant activity (68.4 IU mg-1) than those of Hf1s and Hf3s, whose activities were 37.6 and 36.6 IU mg-1, respectively. The compound was less active than heparin, but its anticoagulant mechanism suggested that it is dependent on cofactor heparin II to inhibit thrombin activity, but not on cofactors VIII and IX. Therefore, the polysaccharide from H. floresia interfered on coagulation cascade.
O aumento da demanda por anticoagulantes para a terapia clínica tem motivado a busca por fontes alternativas de anticoagulantes mais seguros e os polissacarídeos sulfatados de algas marinhas têm ganhado atenção na biomedicina. Objetivou-se obter frações de polissacarídeos sulfatados brutos (denominadas Hf1; Hf2 e Hf3) da alga marinha vermelha Halymenia floresia e para avaliar as propriedades anticoagulantes de uma fração polissacarídica bruta solúvel anticoagulante (Hf2s). As três extrações diferenciais renderam 38,60%. Os polissacarídeos são principalmente compostos de galactose com pequenas quantidades de xilose e glucose. As propriedades anticoagulantes da Hf2s, contendo 53,80% de sulfato e 3% de proteínas, foram também comparadas com a heparina (193,00 UI mg-1) pelo ensaio do tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada (TTPA) e tempo de trombina (TT), usando plasma humano normal. A Hf2s apresentou maior atividade anticoagulante (68,40 UI mg-1) que Hf1s a Hf3s, cujas atividades foram 37,60 e 36,60 UI mg-1, respectivamente. O composto foi menos ativo que a heparina, mas sugere-se que o mecanismo anticoagulante seja dependente do cofator II da heparina para inibição da atividade da trombina, exceto pelos cofatores VIII a IX. Portanto, o polissacarídeo de H. floresia interferiu na cascata de coagulação.