Localisation of specific heparan sulfate proteoglycans during the proliferative phase of brain development.

Early brain development is characterised by the proliferation of neural precursor cells. Several families of signalling molecules such as the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and Wnts are known to play important roles in this early phase of brain development. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that signalling of these molecules requires the presence of heparan sulfate chains attached to a proteoglycan core protein (HSPG).

Immunohistochemical classification of primary and recurrent macular corneal dystrophy in Germany: subclassification of immunophenotype I A using a novel keratan sulfate antibody.

Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by abnormal deposition of glycosaminoglycans in corneal stroma, keratocytes, Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelium. According to the presence and distribution of sulfated keratan sulfate (KS)-epitopes in serum and cornea (using mAb 5-D-4), MCD can be classified into three immunophenotypes: type I, I A and II. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immunophenotype of primary and recurrent MCD and to analyze the reactions of a novel KS-antibody in MCD corneas, which recognizes an epitope localized in the binding region of KS-chains to the core protein (mAb 3D12/H7).

A large keratan sulfate proteoglycan present in human cervical mucous appears to be involved in the reorganization of the cervical extracellular matrix at term.

Objective: To elucidate the function of keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KS-PG) in the human uterine cervix, we analyzed its distribution with respect to physiologic conditions.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to localize KS bearing proteoglycans (mAb 5D4) and decorin (mAb 6B6) in the lower uterine segment. Proteins present in cervical mucous were labeled with biotin, glycosaminoglycan chains were digested enzymatically, and the samples were analyzed by Western blot.

Regulation of interleukin-8 synthesis in human lower uterine segment fibroblasts by cytokines and growth factors.

Objective: To investigate the influence of lipopolysaccharide, cytokines, growth factors, and progesterone on the synthesis of interleukin-8 by human lower uterine segment fibroblasts.

Methods: Fibroblasts derived from a lower uterine segment biopsy specimen obtained from a woman undergoing elective cesarean delivery at term were exposed to lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1beta, transforming growth factor-beta(1), platelet-derived growth factor-AB, and combinations of these substances. All experiments were performed in the absence and presence of progesterone.

Expression of glypican-4 in haematopoietic-progenitor and bone-marrow-stromal cells.

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans and the extracellular matrix of bone-marrow-stromal cells are important components of the microenvironment of haematopoietic tissues and are involved in the interaction of haematopoietic stem and stromal cells. Previous studies have emphasized the role of heparan sulphate proteoglycan synthesis by bone-marrow-stromal cells. In the present study we describe the expression of glypican-4 (GPC-4), belonging to the glypican family, in bone-marrow-stromal cells and haematopoietic-progenitor cells of human and murine origin.