Targeting osteoarthritis-associated galectins and an induced effector class by a ditopic bifunctional reagent: Impact of its glycan part on binding measured in the tissue context.

Pairing glycans with tissue lectins controls multiple effector pathways in (patho)physiology. A clinically relevant example is the prodegradative activity of galectins-1 and -3 (Gal-1 and -3) in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) via matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-13. The design of heterobifunctional inhibitors that can block galectin binding and MMPs both directly and by preventing their galectin-dependent induction selectively offers a perspective to dissect the roles of lectins and proteolytic enzymes.

Galectin network in osteoarthritis: galectin-4 programs a pathogenic signature of gene and effector expression in human chondrocytes in vitro.

Galectin-4 (Gal-4) is a member of the galectin family, which have been identified as galactose-binding proteins. Gal-4 possesses two tandem repeat carbohydrate recognition domains and acts as a cross-linking bridge in sulfatide-dependent glycoprotein routing. We herein document its upregulation in osteoarthritis (OA) in correlation with the extent of cartilage degradation in vivo.

N-Glycan profiling of chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes: Towards functional glycomics in osteoarthritis.

Purpose: N-Glycan profiling provides an indicator of the cellular potential for functional pairing with tissue lectins. Following the discovery of galectin expression by chondrocytes as a factor in osteoarthritis pathobiology, mapping of N-glycans upon their phenotypic dedifferentiation in culture and in fibroblast-like synoviocytes is a step to better understand glycobiological contributions to disease progression.

Experimental Design: The profiles of cellular N-glycans of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes were characterized by mass spectrometry.

Airway management of adult patients without trauma in an ED led by internists.

Background: Airway management is a key competence in emergency medicine. Patients heavily differ from those in the operating room. They are acutely ill by definition and usually not fasting.