Presentation Mode of Glycans Affect Recognition of Human Serum anti-Neu5Gc IgG Antibodies

Recognition of carbohydrates by antibodies can be affected by antigen composition and density. This had been investigated in a variety of controllable multivalent systems using synthetic carbohydrate antigens, yet such effects on anticarbohydrate antibodies in circulating human serum have not been fully addressed thus far. All humans develop a polyclonal and diverse response against carbohydrates containing a nonhuman sialic acid form, N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). This red meat-derived monosaccharide is incorporated into a diverse collection of human glycans resulting in circulating anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in human sera. Such antibodies can cause exacerbation of diseases mediated by chronic inflammation such as cancer and atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate how different presentation modes of Neu5Gc-glycans can affect the detection of anti-Neu5Gc IgGs in human serum. Here, we compare serum IgG recognition of Neu5Gc-containing glycoproteins, glycopeptides, and synthetic glycans. First, Neu5Gc-positive or Neu5Gc-deficient mouse strains were used to generate glycopeptides from serum glycoproteins. Then we developed a reproducible ELISA to screen human sera against Neu5Gc-positive glycopeptides for detection of human serum anti-Neu5Gc IgGs. Finally, we evaluated ELISA screens against glycopeptides in comparison with glycoproteins, as well as against elaborated arrays displaying synthetic Neu5Gc-glycans. Our results demonstrate that the presentation mode and diversity of Neu5Gc-glycans are critical for detection of the full collection of human serum anti-Neu5Gc IgGs

Characterization of immunogenic Neu5Gc in bioprosthetic heart valves

Background: The two common sialic acids (Sias) in mammals are N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and its hydroxylated form N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Unlike most mammals, humans cannot synthesize Neu5Gc that is considered foreign and recognized by circulating antibodies. Thus, Neu5Gc is a potential xenogenic carbohydrate antigen in bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) that tend to deteriorate in time within human patients. Methods: We investigated Neu5Gc expression in non-engineered animal-derived cardiac tissues and in clinically used commercial BHV, and evaluated Neu5Gc immunogenicity on BHV through recognition by human anti-Neu5Gc IgG. Results: Neu5Gc was detected by immunohistochemistry in porcine aortic valves and in porcine and bovine pericardium. Qualitative analysis of Sia linkages revealed Siaa2-3> Siaa2-6 on porcine/bovine pericardium while the opposite in porcine aortic/pulmonary valve cusps. Similarly, six commercial BHV containing either porcine aortic valve or porcine/bovine/equine pericardium revealed Siaa2-3> Siaa2-6 expression. Quantitative analysis of Sia by HPLC showed porcine/bovine pericardium express 4-fold higher Neu5Gc levels compared to the porcine aortic/pulmonary valves, with Neu5Ac at 6-fold over Neu5Gc. Likewise, Neu5Gc was expressed on commercial BHV (186.3 +/- 16.9 pmol Sia/mu g protein), with Neu5Ac at 8-fold over Neu5Gc. Affinity-purified human anti-Neu5Gc IgG showing high specificity toward Neu5Gc-glycans (with no binding to Neu5Ac-glycans) on a glycan microarray, strongly bound to all tested commercial BHV, demonstrating Neu5Gc immune recognition in cardiac xenografts. Conclusions: We conclusively demonstrated Neu5Gc expression in native cardiac tissues, as well as in six commercial BHV. These Neu5Gc xeno-antigens were recognized by human anti-Neu5Gc IgG, supporting their immunogenicity. Altogether, these findings suggest BHV-Neu5Gc/anti-Neu5Gc may play a role in valve deterioration warranting further investigation

The role of protein kinase B and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in ischaemic preconditioning of myocardium

Background: Protein kinase B (PKB) plays a critical role in cell survival, growth and proliferation. The investigation of its involvement has been limited by the lack of specific pharmacological agents. Similarly mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) plays a critical role in necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Opposed role of MPTP (transient versus sustained opening) in cardioprotection has been proposed. Therefore the primary aims of this thesis were to (i) to investigate the influence of PKB in the tolerance to ischaemia/reoxygenation (I/R), (ii) to define the relationship of PKB with the mitoKATP channel and with p38 MAPK in the signal transduction mechanism of cardioprotection by IP, (iii) to determine how two structurally different MPTP inhibitors (Cyclosporine A and Bongkrekic Acid) administered for varying time regimes influenced ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury and (iv) to explore how pharmacologic MPTP opening at different time points during I/R modulated myocardial injury. Methods & Results: Myocardial slices from rat left ventricle and from the right atrial appendage of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were subjected to 90 min ischaemia/120 min reoxygenation at 37°C. Tissue injury was assessed by creatine kinase (CK) released and determination of cell necrosis and apoptosis. Myocardial caspase 3 was also assessed. Muscles were randomized to receive various treatments. The results showed that blockade of PKB activity caused significant reduction of CK release and cell death, a benefit that was as potent as ischaemic preconditioning and could be reproduced by blockade of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) with wortmannin and LY 294002. The protection was time dependent with maximal benefit seen when PKB and PI-3K were inhibited before ischaemia or during both ischaemia and reoxygenation. PKB inhibition induced a similar degree of protection in the human and rat myocardium and, importantly, it reversed the unresponsiveness to protection of the diabetic myocardium. The status of MPTP can dramatically influence ischemic/reoxygenation-induced injury and protection of the rat left ventricular myocardium. Importantly, the status of the MPTP during first 10 min of reoxygenation is of critical importance with both opening and closing of the pore being as protective as ischemic preconditioning. Conclusion: Inhibition of PKB plays a critical role in protection of the mammalian myocardium and may represent a clinical target for the reduction of ischaemic injury. Both formation and inhibition of the MPTP can be exploited for therapeutic purposes and that there is a defined therapeutic window, with the first few minutes of reoxygenation being a crucial period to achieve cardioprotection.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in ischaemia/reoxygenation-induced injury and in protection of the mammalian myocardium

Background: In physiological condition, NO is produced by two constitutive NOS isoform; eNOS and nNOS. Both isoforms have specific cellular locations and although the role of eNOS in myocardial ischaemic injury and in cardioprotection has been thoroughly addressed, but the role of nNOS remains unclear. Therefore, the aims of the thesis were to: (i) investigate the role of nNOS in ischaemia/reoxygenation-induced injury, (ii) determine whether its effect is species-dependent, (iii) elucidate the relationship of nNOS with mitoKATP channels and p38MAPK, two key components of IP and (iv) investigate whether modulation of the NO metabolism can overcome the unresponsiveness of the diabetic myocardium to IP. Methods and Results: Ventricular myocardial slices from rats and mice, nNOS knockout mice, and also from human right atrial slices were subjected to 90min ischaemia and 120min reoxygenation (37°C). Muscles were randomized to receive various treatments. Both the provision of exogenous NO and the inhibition of endogenous NO production significantly reduced tissue injury (creatine kinase release, cell necrosis and apoptosis), an effect that was species–independent. The protection seen with nNOS inhibition was as potent as that of IP, however, in nNOS-knocked out mice the cardioprotective effect of non-selective NOS (L-NAME) and selective nNOS inhibition (TRIM) and also that of IP was blocked while the benefit of exogenous NO remained intact. Additional studies revealed that the cardioprotection afforded by of exogenous NO and by inhibition of nNOS were unaffected by the mitoKATP channel blocker 5-HD although it was abrogated by p38MAPK blocker SB203580. Finally, in diabetic myocardium, IP did not decrease CK release neither reduced cell necrosis or apoptosis. In diabetic myocardium NO donor SNAP, inhibitor L-NAME and TRIM significantly reduced CK leakage, cell necrosis and apoptosis. Conclusions: nNOS plays a dual role in ischaemia/reoxygenation on that its presence is necessary to afford cardioprotection by IP but its inhibition reduces myocardial ischaemic injury. The role of nNOS is species-independent and exerted downstream of the mitoKATP channels and upstream of p38MAPK. Moreover, both the provision of exogenous NO and the suppression of endogenous NO production resulted in potent protection of diabetic human myocardium, overcoming the unresponsiveness of these tissues to IP.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The consensus of the task force of the European Society of Cardiology concerning the clinical investigation of the use of autologous adult stem cells for repair of the heart

A task force has been established by the European Society of Cardiology to investigate the role of progenitor/stem cell therapy in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. This article is the consensus of this group, of what clinical studies are needed in this field, and the challenges to be addressed in the translation of progenitor/stem cell biology to repair of the heart

Characterization of immunogenic Neu5Gc in bioprosthetic heart valves

Background: The two common sialic acids (Sias) in mammals are N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and its hydroxylated form N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Unlike most mammals, humans cannot synthesize Neu5Gc that is considered foreign and recognized by circulating antibodies. Thus, Neu5Gc is a potential xenogenic carbohydrate antigen in bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) that tend to deteriorate in time within human patients. Methods: We investigated Neu5Gc expression in non-engineered animal-derived cardiac tissues and in clinically used commercial BHV, and evaluated Neu5Gc immunogenicity on BHV through recognition by human anti-Neu5Gc IgG. Results: Neu5Gc was detected by immunohistochemistry in porcine aortic valves and in porcine and bovine pericardium. Qualitative analysis of Sia linkages revealed Siaa2-3> Siaa2-6 on porcine/bovine pericardium while the opposite in porcine aortic/pulmonary valve cusps. Similarly, six commercial BHV containing either porcine aortic valve or porcine/bovine/equine pericardium revealed Siaa2-3> Siaa2-6 expression. Quantitative analysis of Sia by HPLC showed porcine/bovine pericardium express 4-fold higher Neu5Gc levels compared to the porcine aortic/pulmonary valves, with Neu5Ac at 6-fold over Neu5Gc. Likewise, Neu5Gc was expressed on commercial BHV (186.3 +/- 16.9 pmol Sia/mu g protein), with Neu5Ac at 8-fold over Neu5Gc. Affinity-purified human anti-Neu5Gc IgG showing high specificity toward Neu5Gc-glycans (with no binding to Neu5Ac-glycans) on a glycan microarray, strongly bound to all tested commercial BHV, demonstrating Neu5Gc immune recognition in cardiac xenografts. Conclusions: We conclusively demonstrated Neu5Gc expression in native cardiac tissues, as well as in six commercial BHV. These Neu5Gc xeno-antigens were recognized by human anti-Neu5Gc IgG, supporting their immunogenicity. Altogether, these findings suggest BHV-Neu5Gc/anti-Neu5Gc may play a role in valve deterioration warranting further investigation