Ectopic expression of syndecan-1 in basal epidermis affects keratinocyte proliferation and wound re-epithelialization.

Epidermal proliferation and differentiation can be regulated by soluble morphogens and growth factors. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) modulate the action of several of these effector molecules, such as members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt families. Syndecan-1 is a cell-surface proteoglycan that is expressed in differentiating keratinocytes and transiently upregulated in all layers of the epidermis upon tissue injury. To address the role of syndecan-1 in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress syndecan-1 under K14 keratin promoter in the basal layer of the epidermis. We observed epidermal hyperproliferation in newborn transgenic mice, as evidenced by increased number of suprabasal cell layers, elevated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in both basal and suprabasal cell layers and by expression of keratin 6 in the interfollicular epidermis. Compared to both wild-type and syndecan-1-null animals, the transgene expression interfered with skin wound healing in adult mice by decreasing cell proliferation in the re-epithelialized epidermis. Thus, syndecan-1 regulates keratinocyte proliferation differently during skin development and in healing wounds.

O-sulfated bacterial polysaccharides with low anticoagulant activity inhibit metastasis.

Heparin-like polysaccharides possess the capacity to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, heparanase-mediated cancer cell invasion, and cancer cell adhesion to vascular endothelia via adhesion receptors, such as selectins. The clinical applicability of the antitumor effect of such polysaccharides, however, is compromised by their anticoagulant activity. We have compared the potential of chemically O-sulfated and N,O-sulfated bacterial polysaccharide (capsular polysaccharide from E. COLI K5 [K5PS]) species to inhibit metastasis of mouse B16-BL6 melanoma cells and human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in two in vivo models. We demonstrate that in both settings, O-sulfated K5PS was a potent inhibitor of metastasis. Reducing the molecular weight of the polysaccharide, however, resulted in lower antimetastatic capacity. Furthermore, we show that O-sulfated K5PS efficiently inhibited the invasion of B16-BL6 cells through Matrigel and also inhibited the in vitro activity of heparanase. Moreover, treatment with O-sulfated K5PS lowered the ability of B16-BL6 cells to adhere to endothelial cells, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and P-selectin, but not to E-selectin. Importantly, O-sulfated K5PSs were largely devoid of anticoagulant activity. These findings indicate that O-sulfated K5PS polysaccharide should be considered as a potential antimetastatic agent.