The Functions of Chondroitin Sulfate (CS)

CS is a family of polysaccharides found in the extracellular matrix and on the cell surface as CS proteoglycans, it is a type of Glycosaminoglycans (GAG). The sugar chains of CS are linked to the core proteins of proteoglycans through a glycan-like linkage region. The CS chain consists of alternately linked glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). CS proteoglycans aggregate to form a neural network system, which surrounds the soma and proximal processes of neurons. CS is involved in a variety of physiological activities in organisms and sulfated polysaccharides can improve blood compatibility by electrostatic repulsion of negatively charged blood components. Their biological functions and the potential applications of CS proteoglycan (CSPG) as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in diseases inform clinical applications.

Fig.1 Structure of repeating disaccharide units in the CS moieties of CSPGs. (Mikami & Kitagawa, 2020)

CS-based Cell Surface Glycoengineering Service at CD BioGlyco

The study of Cell Surface Glycoengineering is increasingly important, so it is very necessary to develop the physiological function and structural analysis of CS-based cell surfaces as comprehensively as possible. CD BioGlyco provides CS modification, extraction, analysis services. We have perfect instruments and professional technical personnel, that meet the different needs of clients.

• Modification services

Depending on the degree and position of sulfation, undergoes sulfonation of one or more hydroxyl groups to produce CS with variable patterns of sulfonation on the cell surface. We provide sulfation modification services at positions 4-O and 6-O of the cell surface CS. In position 4, our researchers use chemical enzyme modification to achieve the effect of modification by heterologous overexpression of recombinant 4-O-endosulfatase. O-6 sulfation favors the arrangement of the sulfate on the surface. For modifying CS-based cell surface, we provide analysis service including linkage to magnetic beads or microarrays, to analyze its physiologically active functions.

• Structural analysis service

We offer molecular weight measurement services using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and liquid chromatography (LC)-connected refractive index detector (RID) refractive index detector. Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) is used for LC separation to collect the products for further staging. Structure of polysaccharides by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

• Analysis of sulfated motifs

CD BioGlyco provides differential analysis services of sulfation spectra, effects of motifs on surface charge, glycosylation sites, etc.

Fig.2 CS-based cell surface glycoengineering analysis service. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication

Paper Title: Surface modification with chondroitin sulfate targets nanoparticles to the neuronal cell membrane in the substantia nigra

Technology: Magnetic bead coupling modification, Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultra-violet-visible (UV-vis).

Journal: ACS Chemical Neuroscience

IF: 5.78

Published: 2020

Results: Chondroitin sulfate was modified on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and the CS-SPIONs were injected into the substantia nigra of rats, it is found that CS-SPIONs exhibited low endocytosis and were highly distributed on the extracellular spaces near neuronal cell bodies and synapses. This can be ascribed to CS's tendency to surround neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and synapses. It is expected that CS-SPIONs have great potential for therapies requiring targeting of or approach to cell membranes.

Fig.3 Subcellular distribution of the PEG-PEI-SPIONs in the substantia nigra. (Nie, et al., 2020)

Applications of CS-based Cell Surface Glycoengineering

• CS-based cell surface glycoengineering has the advantages of anti-inflammation and blood circulation and is an ideal drug development target for the long-term prevention of cardiovascular disease.
• CS-based cell surface glycoengineering acts as an immunostimulant to enhance the immune response and is a potential candidate for immunological diseases or functional foods.
• CS-based cell surface glycoengineering as a popular material for cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds, reduces stem cell inflammation.
• CS-based cell surface glycoengineering is a target for cancer and a potential biomarker for diagnosis.
• Sulfate-modified CS-based cell surface glycoengineering promotes the neural development, growth, and function of the nervous system during its binding to growth factors.

CD BioGlyco has a professional Glycoengineering Platform to fulfill all the needs of our clients. Meanwhile, we offer high-quality Heparan Sulfate (HS), Dermatan Sulfate (DS), Keratan Sulfate (KS), and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) glycoengineering services to clients all over the world. Please feel free to contact us for inquiries.

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