Different glycoforms of prostate-specific membrane antigen are intracellularly transported through their association with distinct detergent-resistant membranes.

Hormone-refractory prostate carcinomas as well as the neovasculature of different tumours express high levels of PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen). PSMA is a type II-transmembrane glycoprotein and a potential tumour marker for both diagnosis and passive immunotherapy. Here, we report on the association of PSMA with DRMs (detergent-resistant membranes) at different stages of the protein maturation pathway in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. At least three PSMA glycoforms were biochemically identified based on their extractability behaviour in different non-ionic detergents. In particular, one precursor glycoform of PSMA is associated with Tween 20-insoluble DRMs, whereas the complex glycosylated protein segregates into membrane structures that are insoluble in Lubrol WX and display a different lipid composition. Association of PSMA with these membranes occurs in the Golgi compartment together with the acquisition of a native conformation. PSMA homodimers reach the plasma membrane of LNCaP cells in Lubrol WX-insoluble lipid/protein complexes. At the steady state, the majority of PSMA remains within these membrane microdomains at the cell surface. We conclude that the intracellular transport of PSMA occurs through populations of DRMs distinct for each biosynthetic form and cellular compartment.

Electrical stimulation accelerates axonal and functional peripheral nerve regeneration across long gaps.

Short-term low-frequency electrical stimulation (ESTIM) of proximal peripheral nerve stumps prior to end-to-end coaptation or tubular bridging of small distances has been reported to increase preferential motor reinnervation and functional motor recovery in animal models and human patients undergoing carpal tunnel release surgery. We investigated the effects of ESTIM on regeneration across rat sciatic nerve gaps, which exceed distances that allow spontaneous regeneration. Three different reconstruction approaches were combined with ESTIM in the experimental groups. Nerve gaps (13 mm) were bridged using (I) nerve autotransplantation, (II) transplantation of differentially filled silicone tubes, or (III) transplantation of tubular grafts containing fibroblast growth factor-2 overexpressing Schwann cells (SCs) for gene therapy. The regeneration outcome was followed for up to 8 weeks, and functionally as well as histomorphometrically analyzed in comparison to non-stimulated control groups. Combining ESTIM with nerve autotransplantation significantly increased the nerve fiber density in the regenerated nerve, and the grade of functional recovery as detected by electrodiagnostic recordings from the gastrocnemius muscle. The combination of ESTIM with transplantation of naïve SCs increased the regeneration of gap-bridging nerve tissue. Although macroscopic tissue regeneration was not further improved after combining ESTIM with FGF-2(21/23-kD) gene therapy, the latter resulted in a high rate of regenerated nerves that functionally reconnected to the target muscle. Based on our results, brief ESTIM shows high potential to accelerate axonal as well as functional (motor and sensory) outcomes in the clinical setting of peripheral nerve gap reconstruction in human patients.

Genetically modified canine Schwann cells--In vitro and in vivo evaluation of their suitability for peripheral nerve tissue engineering.

After peripheral nerve injury, Schwann cells (SC) guarantee for a regeneration-promoting milieu and are crucially involved in axonal regeneration. For extended nerve defects, bridging with an autologous nerve transplant is the gold standard therapy. Artificial biohybrid nerve transplants which combine a synthetic conduit with autologous SC genetically modified to express regeneration-promoting proteins may provide an alternative therapy to autotransplantation. The dog seems to be an ideal translational animal model for new treatment strategies. In the present study, utilizing a new transfection protocol, we transplanted enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing adult canine SC (cSC) into a 5mm epineural pouch in the sciatic nerve of adult rats (n=9). The epineurial pouch technique serves as proof of principle to follow the fate of the transplanted cSC for up to 14 days after surgery. Fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry revealed survival and integration of EGFP-expressing cSC into the regenerating host nerve tissue. We demonstrate that transplanted cSC contribute to the formation of bands of Büngner and are located in close vicinity to growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) expressing regenerating nerve fibers. This provides first evidence that transplanted genetically modified Schwann cells do successfully integrate into the host tissue where they could actively contribute to the regeneration process.

In vivo evaluation of polysialic acid as part of tissue-engineered nerve transplants.

With the aim to develop new biomaterials for peripheral nerve grafts, the current study used bioidentical polysialic acid (polySia) as complement in synthetic conduits. polySia provides an important guidance cue during nervous system development and regeneration. First in vivo results on the use of cell-free and Schwann cell-containing synthetic peripheral nerve grafts complemented with soluble exogenous K1-polySia are presented. Reconstructing 10 mm rat sciatic nerve gaps, K1-polySia complementation significantly improved structural nerve regeneration in comparison to cell-free and K1-polySia-free grafts. Subsequently, long nerve gaps (13 mm) were reconstructed by Schwann cell transplants plus K1-polySia and compared to nerve autotransplantation. Structural but also functional regeneration could be observed using K1-polySia transplants; however, autotransplantation was still significantly more successful. Overall, the current study demonstrates that exogenous K1-polySia has no negative but rather regeneration promoting effects. This is important novel evidence on the applicability of exogenous polySia in vivo. Further studies are required to develop solid three-dimensional polySia-based scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering. Biocompatible and assessable biodegrading materials will ensure long-lasting presence of polySia to allow its applicability and prolonged efficacy in the slow regenerating scenario of human peripheral nerve reconstruction.