Hydrocortisone effect on hyaluronate synthesis in a self-assembled human dermal equivalent.

Human dermal matrix is a 'self-assembled' dermal equivalent containing large amounts of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid (hyaluronate, hyaluronan, HA). We sought to investigate the actions of the hormone hydrocortisone on hyaluronate synthesis in the human dermal matrix. To this end, human dermal fibroblasts were cultured under serum-free conditions, and in the absence of a three-dimensional matrix, in the presence of varying amounts of hydrocortisone. The resultant human dermal matrices were characterized. We report that low concentrations of hydrocortisone enhance hyaluronate synthesis in the human dermal equivalent and higher concentrations cause inhibition of hyaluronate synthesis. Other glycosaminoglycan (chondroitin sulphate) synthesis is not affected by changing hydrocortisone concentrations up to 500× (200 µg/ml) of the base value. In order to gain preliminary insight into the molecular mechanism of hyaluronate inhibition, a differential gene array analysis was conducted of human dermal matrix grown in the presence of 200 µg/ml hydrocortisone and in a physiological concentration (0.4 µg/ml, normal conditions). The results of these experiments demonstrate the differential expression of 43 genes in the 500× (200 µg/ml) hydrocortisone construct as compared to the construct grown under normal conditions (0.4 µg/ml hydrocortisone). These preliminary experiments suggest that hydrocortisone at higher concentrations may exert its inhibitory effect on hyaluronate synthesis early in the glycolytic pathway, leading to HA biosynthesis by downregulation of phosphoglucomutase and glucose phosphate isomerase, possibly leading to depletion of the cellular pool of UDP-sugar precursors necessary for HA synthesis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hydrocortisone and triiodothyronine regulate hyaluronate synthesis in a tissue-engineered human dermal equivalent through independent pathways.

Hydrocortisone (HC) and triiodothyronine (T3) have both been shown to be capable of independently inhibiting hyaluronate (HA, hyaluronic acid) synthesis in a self-assembled human dermal equivalent (human dermal matrix). We sought to investigate the action of these two hormones in concert on extracellular matrix formation and HA inhibition in the tissue engineered human dermal matrix. To this end, neonatal human dermal fibroblasts were cultured in defined serum-free medium for 21 days in the presence of each hormone alone, or in combination, in varying concentrations. Through a process of self-assembly, a substantial dermal extracellular matrix formed that was characterized. The results of these studies demonstrate that combinations of the hormones T3 and hydrocortisone showed significantly higher levels of hyaluronate inhibition as compared to each hormone alone in the human dermal matrix. In order to gain preliminary insight into the genes regulating HA synthesis in this system, a differential gene array analysis was conducted in which the construct prepared in the presence of 200 µg/mL HC and 0.2 nM T3 was compared to the normal construct (0.4 µg/mL HC and 20 pM T3). Using a GLYCOv4 gene chip containing approximately 1260 human genes, we observed differential expression of 131 genes. These data suggest that when these two hormones are used in concert a different mechanism of inhibition prevails and a combination of degradation and inhibition of HA synthesis may be responsible for HA regulation in the human dermal matrix.

All-trans retinoic acid is an effective inhibitor of hyaluronate synthesis in a human dermal equivalent.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is known to have beneficial effects on skin. It has been used extensively for the treatment of photodamaged skin. To assess the effects of all-trans retinoic acid on the dermis, specifically its effect on hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid, HA) synthesis and inhibition, tissue-engineered human dermal equivalents were prepared in the presence of varying concentrations of ATRA using the method of "self-assembly". A substantial extracellular matrix was formed at the end of the culture period. The extracellular matrices of these dermal constructs were characterized and compared to the construct prepared in the absence of ATRA (Normal). Inhibition of hyaluronate was observed in constructs prepared in the presence of varying concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid. Chondroitin sulfate synthesis was unaffected up to 1 µM ATRA. Collagen synthesis was enhanced at lower concentrations of ATRA (250 and 500 nM) and inhibited at higher concentrations of ATRA. Differential gene array experiments were performed comparing the construct grown in the presence of 500 nM ATRA to one grown in the absence of ATRA, to obtain preliminary information regarding the gene(s) involved in HA inhibition using a GLYCOv4 gene chip. These preliminary experiments demonstrated the differential expression of 127 genes and suggest that down-regulation of five key enzymes in the HA biosynthetic pathway may be involved in this inhibitory process.

Triiodothyronine (T3) inhibits hyaluronate synthesis in a human dermal equivalent by downregulation of HAS2.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is a thyroid hormone that can have varying effects on skin. In order to assess the effects of T3 on the human dermis, we prepared dermal equivalents using neonatal dermal cells via the process of self-assembly in the presence of differing concentrations of T3. These dermal equivalents were prepared in the absence of serum and a three dimensional matrix allowing for the direct assessment of different concentrations of T3 on dermal extracellular matrix formation. Three different concentrations of T3 were chosen, 20 pM, which is part of the base medium, 0.2 nM T3 and 2 nM T3. We find that self-assembled dermal equivalents formed under these conditions show a progressive "thinning" with increasing T3 concentrations. While we observed no change in total collagen content, inhibition of hyaluronate (HA) synthesis was observed in the 0.2- and 2-nM T3 constructs as compared to the 20-pM construct. Other glycosaminoglycan synthesis was not affected by increasing T3 concentrations. In order to identify the gene(s) responsible for inhibition of HA synthesis in the 2-nM T3 dermal equivalent, we conducted a differential gene array analysis. The results of these experiments demonstrate the differential expression of 40 genes, of these, 34 were upregulated and 6 genes were downregulated. The results from these experiments suggest that downregulation of HAS2 may be responsible for inhibition of hyaluronate synthesis in the self-assembled 2-nM T3 human dermal matrix.

Tissue-engineered fetal dermal matrices.

In the early to mid-gestation fetus, skin wounds heal with no scar formation and perfect restoration of dermal architecture. This phenomenon is intrinsic to fetal skin. The intrinsic phenotypic properties of the fetal fibroblast are believed to be "the effector of scarless repair". We sought to prepare dermal matrices with high similarity to the mid-gestation fetal dermis using the technology of "self-assembly" with fetal dermal cells of 18, 20, and 22 wk gestation. Comparison of these dermal constructs to those prepared with neonatal dermal cells, adult skin, neonatal foreskin, and mid-gestation fetal skin demonstrates that these fetal dermal matrices bear marked morphological and biochemical resemblance to the mid-gestation fetal dermis. In order to shed further light on the genes involved in scarless wound healing, we conducted a differential gene array analysis of the neonatal and fetal dermal matrices. Using a gene chip (GLYCOv4 gene chip) of approximately 1,260 human genes, we observed differential expression of 67 genes. A number of fibrotic genes were observed to be downregulated and anti-fibrotic genes upregulated.

Expression of glycogenes in differentiating human NT2N neurons. Downregulation of fucosyltransferase 9 leads to decreased Lewis(x) levels and impaired neurite outgrowth.

BACKGROUND: Several glycan structures are functionally relevant in biological events associated with differentiation and regeneration which occur in the central nervous system. Here we have analysed the glycogene expression and glycosylation patterns during human NT2N neuron differentiation. We have further studied the impact of downregulating fucosyltransferase 9 (FUT9) on neurite outgrowth. METHODS: The expression of glycogenes in human NT2N neurons differentiating from teratocarcinoma NTERA-2/cl.D1 cells has been analysed using the GlycoV4 GeneChip expression microarray. Changes in glycosylation have been monitored by immunoblot, immunofluorescence microscopy, HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS. Peptide mass fingerprinting and immunoprecipitation have been used for protein identification. FUT9 was downregulated using silencing RNA. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: One hundred twelve mRNA transcripts showed statistically significant up-regulation, including the genes coding for proteins involved in the synthesis of the Lewis(x) motif (FUT9), polysialic acid (ST8SIA2 and ST8SIA4) and HNK-1 (B3GAT2). Accordingly, increased levels of the corresponding carbohydrate epitopes have been observed. The Lewis(x) structure was found in a carrier glycoprotein that was identified as the CRA-a isoform of human neural cell adhesion molecule 1. Downregulation of FUT9 caused significant decreases in the levels of Lewis(x), as well as GAP-43, a marker of neurite outgrowth. Concomitantly, a reduction in neurite formation and outgrowth has been observed that was reversed by FUT9 overexpression. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results provided information about the regulation of glycogenes during neuron differentiation and they showed that the Lewis(x) motif plays a functional role in neurite outgrowth from human neurons.

Glycophenotypic alterations induced by Pteridium aquilinum in mice gastric mucosa: synergistic effect with Helicobacter pylori infection.

The bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum is a plant known to be carcinogenic to animals. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between bracken fern exposure and gastric cancer development in humans. The biological effects of exposure to this plant within the gastric carcinogenesis process are not fully understood. In the present work, effects in the gastric mucosa of mice treated with Pteridium aquilinum were evaluated, as well as molecular mechanisms underlying the synergistic role with Helicobacter pylori infection. Our results showed that exposure to Pteridium aquilinum induces histomorphological modifications including increased expression of acidic glycoconjugates in the gastric mucosa. The transcriptome analysis of gastric mucosa showed that upon exposure to Pteridium aquilinum several glycosyltransferase genes were differently expressed, including Galntl4, C1galt1 and St3gal2, that are mainly involved in the biosynthesis of simple mucin-type carbohydrate antigens. Concomitant treatment with Pteridium aquilinum and infection with Helicobacter pylori also resulted in differently expressed glycosyltransferase genes underlying the biosynthesis of terminal sialylated Lewis antigens, including Sialyl-Lewis(x). These results disclose the molecular basis for the altered pattern of glycan structures observed in the mice gastric mucosa. The gene transcription alterations and the induced glycophenotypic changes observed in the gastric mucosa contribute for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Pteridium aquilinum in the gastric carcinogenesis process.

Selectin ligand sialyl-Lewis x antigen drives metastasis of hormone-dependent breast cancers.

The glycome acts as an essential interface between cells and the surrounding microenvironment. However, changes in glycosylation occur in nearly all breast cancers, which can alter this interaction. Here, we report that profiles of glycosylation vary between ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancers. We found that genes involved in the synthesis of sialyl-Lewis x (sLe(x); FUT3, FUT4, and ST3GAL6) are significantly increased in estrogen receptor alpha-negative (ER-negative) tumors compared with ER-positive ones. SLe(x) expression had no influence on the survival of patients whether they had ER-negative or ER-positive tumors. However, high expression of sLe(x) in ER-positive tumors was correlated with metastasis to the bone where sLe(x) receptor E-selectin is constitutively expressed. The ER-positive ZR-75-1 and the ER-negative BT20 cell lines both express sLe(x) but only ZR-75-1 cells could adhere to activated endothelial cells under dynamic flow conditions in a sLe(x) and E-selectin-dependent manner. Moreover, L/P-selectins bound strongly to ER-negative MDA-MB-231 and BT-20 cell lines in a heparan sulfate (HS)-dependent manner that was independent of sLe(x) expression. Expression of glycosylation genes involved in heparan biosynthesis (EXT1 and HS3ST1) was increased in ER-negative tumors. Taken together, our results suggest that the context of sLe(x) expression is important in determining its functional significance and that selectins may promote metastasis in breast cancer through protein-associated sLe(x) and HS glycosaminoglycans.