Gamma-glutamyltransferase-associated glycoprotein patterns in human seminal plasma of normozoospermic men: a new aspect of biomarker heterogeneity.

Background: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a well-known laboratory biomarker. In spite of high concentration and the possible biomedical importance of estimating GGT in human seminal plasma (hSP), it has not been widely explored in reproductive physiology. This study aimed to complement existing data on its diversity, previously obtained on seminal extracellular vesicles, by analyzing matched soluble fraction of hSP.

Stratum corneum levels of inflammatory mediators and natural moisturizing factor in patch test reactions to thiurams and fragrances and their possible role in discrimination between irritant and allergic reactions to hapten mixtures.

Background: Patch test (PT) reactions to thiuram mix (TM) and fragrance mix (FM) I or II without concomitant reactions to their single constituents are potentially caused by the irritant properties of the mixes.

Objective: Comparing inflammatory profiles of PT reactions to TM, FM I, FM II, and their constituents and assessing their potential in discrimination of irritant and allergic reactions.

Patients And Methods: Levels of 14 cytokines and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) were determined in stratum corneum samples collected from PT reactions to TM, FM I or II, their constituents, and petrolatum (pet.

Membrane-associated gamma-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase in the context of concanavalin A- and wheat germ agglutinin-reactive glycans mark seminal prostasome populations from normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men.

Human seminal prostasomes are intrinsically heterogeneous extracellular vesicles (EVs) whose composition is, additionally, influenced by different physiological conditions. Aiming at the molecular properties of the prostasomal surface exemplified by glycan compositions as a possible distinction factor, we applied lectin-affinity chromatography (LAC) as a new tool for their separation. Since glycans, generally, exhibit various biological activities, introduction of glyco-parameters as reference could upgrade standardization of EVs isolated by different methods and intended for use in biomedicine.

Nano-sized CA125 antigen glycocamouflage: Mucin - Extracellular vesicles alliance to watch?

Mucin 16 (MUC16) is a transmembrane type mucin and its released extracellular portion is designated as CA125 antigen. It is considered to be part of a supramolecular glycoprotein complex having a complicated epitope map and extreme structural heterogeneity. Starting from the initial transmembrane localization of MUC16/CA125 antigen and its alternative routes of release by shedding or putative secretion, CA125 antigen from human amniotic fluid soluble and extracellular vesicles (EVs)-containing fractions were characterized aiming at the possible glycosylation-associated mode of distribution as a factor contributing to the reported conflicting structural data.

Human Serum Low Molecular Mass Prostate-specific Antigen As Biomarker.

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein tumor marker known to exist as numerous glycospecies. Investigations on its glycobiochemical properties aimed at their use in the preparation of adjuncts in determining PSA concentration for clinical purposes have accumulated a lot of data on its structural properties. In this study, we reconsidered unexplored ubiquitously present low molecular mass species of PSA regarding to molecular mass, origin and pathophysiological source specificity in order to evaluate them as biomarkers.

Ion-exchange chromatography purification of extracellular vesicles.

Despite numerous studies, isolating pure preparations of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has proven challenging. Here, we compared ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) to the widely used sucrose density gradient (SDG) centrifugation method for the purification of EVs. EVs in bulk were isolated from pooled normal human amniotic fluid (AF) by differential centrifugation followed by IEC or sucrose density gradient separation.

Glycome complexity of human seminal plasma high molecular mass components: Evaluation of the contribution of acid-soluble glycoproteins/mucins and extracellular vesicles.

This study was aimed at evaluation of the contribution of acid-soluble glycoproteins (ASG)/mucins and extracellular vesicles (EVs), yet unexplored components of human seminal plasma (hSP) to the complexity of its glycome. Gaining insight into the native presentation and distribution of glycans across hSP could help establish molecular environments supporting specific biological activities based on unique ligand capacities. Soluble and particulate fractions of hSP from healthy subjects were analyzed by gel filtration, electrophoresis, ion-exchange chromatography and a solid phase assay with immobilized charge-resolved glycospecies to test their reactivity with plant lectins, carbohydrate-binding antibodies and selected human lectins.

Evaluation of molecular species of prostate-specific antigen complexed with immunoglobulin M in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

This study was aimed at defining molecular species of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in immune complexes with immunoglobulin M (IgM). Having in mind the oligoreactivity of IgM and its preference for carbohydrate antigens, there is the possibility that it can selectively recognize known PSA glycoisoforms. PSA-IgM complexes and free PSA fractions were separated from the sera of subjects with prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by gel filtration and subjected to on-chip immunoaffinity and ion-exchange chromatography.

On chip immuno-affinity profiling of cancer- and benign hyperplasia-associated free prostate specific antigen.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) exhibits pronounced heterogeneity in both primary structure and glycan composition, resulting in the existence of different molecular forms. Investigation of PSA structure is a demanding task facing limitations due to inadequate sensitivity of analytical techniques and low concentrations of the different forms. This study aimed to profile free PSA (fPSA), especially lower molecular mass species lacking detailed classification, in normal seminal plasma and in sera from subjects with benign hyperplasia (BPH) or cancer of the prostate (PCa) as samples of known clinical relevance.