A Further Unique Chondroitin Sulfate from the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei with Antithrombin Activity that Modulates Acute Inflammation

The detailed structure of a further Chondroitin Sulfate from Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp (sCS) is described. The backbone structure was established by 1H/13C NMR, which identified 3-O-sulfated GlcA, 4-O-sulfated GalNAc, 6-O-sulfated GalNAc, and 4,6-di-O-sulfated GalNAc residues. GlcA is linked to GalNAc 4,6 di S and GlcA 3S is linked to GalNAc 4S, GalNAc 4,6 di-S and GalNAc6S residues. The anticoagulant properties of this sCS were evaluated by activated partial thromboplastin time, anti-IIa, anti-Xa and anti-heparin cofactor II-mediated activities, and sCS failed to stabilise antithrombin in a fluoresence shift assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of sCS was explored using a model of acute peritonitis, followed by leukocyte count and measurement of the cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. The compound showed low clotting effects, but high anti-IIa activity and HCII-mediated thrombin inhibition. Its anti-inflammatory effect was shown by leukocyte recruitment inhibition and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Although the biological role of sCS remains unknown, its properties indicate that it is suitable for studies of multi-potent molecules obtained from natural sources

2, 3-Di-O-sulfo glucuronic acid: an unmodified and unusual residue in a highly sulfated chondroitin sulfate from Litopenaeus vannamei

The occurrence of a natural and unmodified highly sulfated chondroitin sulfate from Litopenaeus vannamei heads (sCS) is herein reported. Its partial digestion by Chondroitinases AC and ABC together with its electrophoretic migration profile revealed it as a highly sulfated chondroitin sulfate despite its average molecular weight being similar to CSA. Using orthogonal 1D/2D NMR experiments, the anomeric signals (δ 4.62/106.0) corresponding to unusual 2,3-di-O-Sulfo-GlcA (∼36%), U33S (δ 4.42/84.1, ∼63%) and U22S (4.12/80.1, ∼50%) substitutions were confirmed. In addition, non-sulfated GlcA (δ 4.5/106.3) linked to 4-O- (A14S, 36%) or 6-O-Sulfo (A16S, 28%) GalNAc (δ 4.64/103.5) was observed. Although the biological role of sCS in shrimp is unknown, its influence on hemostasis was also demonstrated. The sCS identification brings to light new questions about the hierarchical model of GAGs biosynthesis and contributes to the better understanding of the subtle relationship between GAGs structure and function

Insights into the role of 3-O-sulfotransferase in heparan sulfate biosynthesis

3-O-Sulfotransferase enzyme (sHS) from Litopenaeus vannamei was cloned and its substrate specificity was investigated against a number of GAG structures, including modified heparin polysaccharides and model oligosaccharides. For the heparin polysaccharides, derived from porcine intestinal mucosa heparin, sulfate groups were incorporated into glucosamine residues containing both N-sulfated and N-acetylated substitution within the regions of the predominant repeating disaccharide, either I–ANS or I–ANAc. However, the resulting polysaccharides did not stabilize antithrombin, which is correlated with anticoagulant activity. It was also shown that the enzyme was able to sulfate disaccharides, I2S–ANS and G–ANAc. The results further illustrate that 3-O-sulfation can be induced outside of the classical heparin-binding pentasaccharide sequence, show that 3-O-sulfation of glucosamine is not a sufficient condition for antithrombin stabilization and suggest that the use of this enzyme during HS biosynthesis may not occur as the final enzymatic step

Anti-inflammatory properties of a heparin-like glycosaminoglycan with reduced anti-coagulant activity isolated from a marine shrimp

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The anti-inflammatory properties of a heparin-like compound from the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei are related. Besides reducing significantly (p < 0.001) the influx of inflammatory cells to injury site in a model of acute inflammation, shrimp heparin-like compound was able to reduce the matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) activity in the peritoneal lavage of inflamed animals. Moreover, this compound also reduced almost 90% the activity of MMP-9 secreted by human activated leukocytes. Negligible anti-coagulant activities in aPPT assay and a poor bleeding potential make this compound a better alternative than mammalian heparin as a possible anti-inflammatory drug. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.162195889595Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Development of new heparin-like compounds and other antithrombotic drugs and their interaction with vascular endothelial cells

The anticlotting and antithrombotic activities of heparin, heparan sulfate, low molecular weight heparins, heparin and heparin-like compounds from various sources used in clinical practice or under development are briefly reviewed. Heparin isolated from shrimp mimics the pharmacological activities of low molecular weight heparins. A heparan sulfate from Artemia franciscana and a dermatan sulfate from tuna fish show a potent heparin cofactor II activity. A heparan sulfate derived from bovine pancreas has a potent antithrombotic activity in an arterial and venous thrombosis model with a negligible activity upon the serine proteases of the coagulation cascade. It is suggested that the antithrombotic activity of heparin and other antithrombotic agents is due at least in part to their action on endothelial cells stimulating the synthesis of an antithrombotic heparan sulfate