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Biomedical subjects

P R Crocker

Publications and source records attributed to P R Crocker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Overexpression of MUC1 reconfigures the binding properties of tumor cells.

Although it is known that adhesion and antiadhesion are essential to the metastatic spread of tumor cells, little is known about the molecules that regulate these processes. MUC1 is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated by a variety of tumor cells. Studies described here examined whether tumor-associated MUC1 conferred new binding properties on tumor cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis with soluble P-, E- and L-selectin/IgM chimeric proteins was performed on human pancreatic (S2-013 and Panc-1) and colon (Caco-2) tumor cells. S2-013 cells bound E- and P-selectin and Caco-2 cells bound P-selectin. Epitope-tagged MUC1 (MUC1F) expressed by S2-013, Panc-1 and Caco-2 tumor cells did not bind to P-, E- or L-selectin. Overexpression of MUC1F on the surface of S2-013 cells blocked the interactions of E-selectin to tumor-associated ligand(s) but did not affect accessibility of monoclonal antibodies to other cell surface glycoproteins (CD9, CD44). Cell aggregation assays revealed that MUC1F expressed by S2-013 cells was able to bind to intracellular adhesion molecule-1 expressed on B cells. Overexpression of MUC1F containing a targeted mutation (the tandem repeat domain entirely or partially deleted) did not block the binding of E-selectin to its S2-013-associated ligand. These results demonstrate for the first time that the heavily O-glycosylated tandem repeat domain of MUC1 can simultaneously mediate and block binding to adhesion molecules with some molecular specificity and further support the hypothesis that MUC1 plays a dual role in the metastatic spread of tumor cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fluorescent carbohydrate probes for cell lectins.

Fluorescein labeled carbohydrate (Glyc) probes were synthesized as analytical tools for the study of cellular lectins, i.e. SiaLe(x)-PAA-flu, Sia2-PAA-flu, GlcNAc2-PAA-flu, LacNAc-PAA-flu and a number of similar ones, with PAA a soluble polyacrylamide carrier. The binding of SiaLe(x)-PAA-flu was assessed using CHO cells transfected with E-selectin, and the binding of Sia2-PAA-flu was assessed by COS cells transfected with siglec-9. In flow cytometry assays, the fluorescein probes demonstrated a specific binding to the lectin-transfected cells that was inhibited by unlabeled carbohydrate ligands. The intense binding of SiaLe(x)-PAA-3H to the E-selectin transfected cells and the lack of binding to both native and permeabilized control cells lead to the conclusion that the polyacrylamide carrier itself and the spacer arm connecting the carbohydrate moiety with PAA did not contribute anymore to the binding. Tumors were obtained from nude mice by injection of CHO E-selectin or mock transfected cells. The fluorescent SiaLe(x)-PAA-flu probe could bind to the tumor sections from E-selectin positive CHO cells, but not from the control ones. Thus, these probes can be used to reveal specifically the carbohydrate binding sites on cells in culture as well as cells in tissue sections. The use of the confocal spectral imaging technique with Glyc-PAA-flu probes offered the unique possibility to detect lectins in different cells, even when the level of lectin expression was rather low. The confocal mode of spectrum recording provided an analysis of the probe localization with 3D submicron resolution. The spectral analysis (as a constituent part of the confocal spectral imaging technique) enabled interfering signals of the probe and intrinsic cellular fluorescence to be accurately separated, the distribution of the probe to be revealed and its local concentration to be measured.

Animals↗

Identification, characterization and leucocyte expression of Siglec-10, a novel human sialic acid-binding receptor.

Here we characterize Siglec-10 as a new member of the Siglec family of sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins. A full-length cDNA was isolated from a human spleen library and the corresponding gene identified. Siglec-10 is predicted to contain five extracellular Ig-like domains and a cytoplasmic tail containing three putative tyrosine-based signalling motifs. Siglec-10 exhibited a high degree of sequence similarity to CD33-related Siglecs and mapped to the same region, on chromosome 19q13.3. The expressed protein was able to mediate sialic acid-dependent binding to human erythrocytes and soluble sialoglycoconjugates. Using specific antibodies, Siglec-10 was detected on subsets of human leucocytes including eosinophils, monocytes and a minor population of natural killer-like cells. The molecular properties and expression pattern suggest that Siglec-10 may function as an inhibitory receptor within the innate immune system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cutting edge: CD43 functions as a T cell counterreceptor for the macrophage adhesion receptor sialoadhesin (Siglec-1).

Sialoadhesin (Siglec-1) is a macrophage-restricted sialic acid-binding receptor that mediates interactions with hemopoietic cells, including lymphocytes. In this study, we identify sialoadhesin counterreceptors on T lymphocytes. Several major glycoproteins (85, 130, 240 kDa) were precipitated by sialoadhesin-Fc fusion proteins from a murine T cell line (TK-1). Binding of sialoadhesin to these glycoproteins was sialic acid dependent and was abolished by mutation of a critical residue (R97A) of the sialic acid binding site in the membrane distal Ig-like domain of sialoadhesin. The 130- and 240-kDa sialoadhesin-binding glycoproteins were identified as the sialomucins CD43 and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (CD162), respectively. CD43 expressed in COS cells supported increased binding to immobilized sialoadhesin. Finally, sialoadhesin bound different glycoforms of CD43 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, including unbranched (core 1) and branched (core 2) O:-linked glycans, that are normally found on CD43 in resting and activated T cells, respectively. These results identify CD43 as a T cell counterreceptor for sialoadhesin and suggest that in addition to its anti-adhesive role CD43 may promote cell-cell interactions.

Animals↗

Characterization of human sialoadhesin, a sialic acid binding receptor expressed by resident and inflammatory macrophage populations.

Sialoadhesin is a macrophage-restricted cellular interaction molecule and a prototypic member of the Siglec family of sialic acid binding immunoglobulin (Ig)-like lectins. So far, it has only been characterized in rodents. Here, we report the molecular cloning, binding properties, and expression pattern of human sialoadhesin. The predicted protein sequences of human and mouse sialoadhesin are about 72% identical, with the greatest similarity in the extracellular region, which comprises 17 Ig domains in both species. A recombinant protein consisting of the first 4 N-terminal domains of human sialoadhesin fused to the Fc region of human IgG1 mediated sialic acid-dependent binding with a specificity similar to its mouse counterpart, preferring sialic acid in the alpha2,3 glycosidic linkage over the alpha2,6 linkage. By flow cytometry with peripheral blood leukocytes, recombinant sialoadhesin bound strongly to granulocytes with intermediate binding to monocytes, natural killer cells, B cells, and a subset of CD8 T cells. Using antibodies raised to the recombinant protein, sialoadhesin was immunoprecipitated from the THP-1 human monocytic cell line as an approximate 200-kd glycoprotein. The expression pattern of human sialoadhesin was found to be similar to that of the mouse receptor, being absent from monocytes and other peripheral blood leukocytes, but expressed strongly by tissue macrophages in the spleen, lymph node, bone marrow, liver, colon, and lungs. High expression was also found on inflammatory macrophages present in affected tissues from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Siglecs, sialic acids and innate immunity.

Siglecs are members of the Ig superfamily that bind to sialic acid (Sia) and are mainly expressed by cells of the hematopoietic system. Until three years ago, only four Siglecs were known, namely sialoadhesin, CD22, myelin-associated glycoprotein and CD33. Since then, a further six human CD33-related Siglecs with features of inhibitory receptors have been identified and shown to be expressed by discrete subsets of leukocytes. Recognition of Sia by these Siglecs could play a role in the regulation of the innate immune system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A school-based exercise intervention augments bone mineral accrual in early pubertal girls.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an elementary school-based physical education exercise intervention program on bone mineral accrual in prepubertal and early pubertal girls. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 14 schools were randomly assigned to control (C) and intervention (I) groups. Girls in the I group completed a 10-minute, 3 times per week circuit of varied jumping activities over 7 months. We measured total body, lumbar spine, proximal femur, femoral neck, and trochanteric bone mineral content and areal bone mineral density and estimated femoral neck volumetric bone mineral density at baseline and final measurement in 87 girls in the I group and 90 girls in the C group. Girls were between 8.7 and 11.7 years at baseline. Tanner stage 1 girls were considered prepubertal; Tanner stages 2 and 3 girls were considered early pubertal. We used analysis of covariance (adjusting for baseline bone values, change in size, age, and maturity) to compare 7-month change in bone mineral content, areal bone mineral density, and volumetric bone mineral density between C and I groups within prepubertal and early pubertal girls. RESULTS: There was no difference in 7-month change in bone parameters between prepubertal I and C groups. Early pubertal girls in the I group gained 1.5% to 3.1% more bone at the femoral neck and lumbar spine than early pubertal girls in the C group (P <.05); gain at other sites did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: In girls, early puberty may be a particularly opportune time during growth for simple exercise interventions to have a positive effect on bone health.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Physical self and physical activity relationships in college women: does social physique anxiety moderate effects?

This research assessed whether social physique anxiety moderated the relationship between physical self-perceptions and the level of physical activity involvement in young women. Participants were 354 female students who completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), Physical Self-Perception Profile, Self-Administered 7-Day Physical Activity Recall (PAR), and Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (LTEQ). Both physical activity measures were significantly related to the SPAS and all physical self-perceptions. Multiple regressions showed that only self-perceptions of conditioning significantly predicted PAR (R2 = .24) and LTEQ (R2 = .30). SPA did not add any unique variance in predicting activity, and no moderator effects were found for either PAR or LTEQ. Findings suggest that perception of physical conditioning is the dominant predictor of physical activity levels in young women, and social physique anxiety does not moderate this relationship.

Adolescent↗

Lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis in Asian and Caucasian girls.

PURPOSE: We investigated ethnic differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD; g x cm(-2)) and its determinants at two levels of maturity in Asian- and Caucasian-Canadian girls. METHODS: Participants were 131 Asian (26 Tanner breast stage I (aTI) and 30 Tanner II (aTII)), and Caucasian (30 Tanner I (cTI) and 45 Tanner II (cTII)) girls. We measured calcium intake by a food frequency questionnaire, general physical activity, and extracurricular sports with a modified Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children and loaded physical activity by 7-d recall. Fat mass, lean mass, and aBMD for the total body (TB), and aBMD at the lumbar spine (LS), proximal femur (PF), femoral neck (FN), and trochanter (TR) were measured by DXA (Hologic QDR 4500). We used ANCOVA (controlling for size and lean and fat mass) to compare bone mineral content (BMC) and aBMD between ethnicities within Tanner stages. RESULTS: Calcium intake was significantly lower for Asian girls in both TI and TII (P < 0.001) as compared with Caucasians. For physical activity measures, only the general score was greater in cTI than aTI (P < 0.05). Participation in loaded physical activities and extracurricular sports was significantly less for aTII than cTII (both, P < 0.01), whereas general physical activity did not differ. aBMD measures were similar between aTI and cTI. However, TB, PF, FN, and aBMD were significantly lower (approximately 9-14%) in aTII as compared with cTII. CONCLUSION: Thus, there was greater ethnic disparity in lifestyle factors related to bone health and absolute measures of bone mineral with advanced maturity.

Anthropometry↗

Siglec-9, a novel sialic acid binding member of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed broadly on human blood leukocytes.

Here we characterize the properties and expression pattern of Siglec-9 (sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin-9), a new member of the Siglec subgroup of the immunoglobulin superfamily. A full-length cDNA encoding Siglec-9 was isolated from a dibutyryl cAMP-treated HL-60 cell cDNA library. Siglec-9 is predicted to contain three extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains that comprise an N-terminal V-set domain and two C2-set domains, a transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic tail containing two putative tyrosine-based signaling motifs. Overall, Siglec-9 is approximately 80% identical in amino acid sequence to Siglec-7, suggesting that the genes encoding these two proteins arose relatively recently by gene duplication. Binding assays showed that, similar to Siglec-7, Siglec-9 recognized sialic acid in either the alpha2,3- or alpha2, 6-glycosidic linkage to galactose. Using a specific mAb, Siglec-9 was found to be expressed at high or intermediate levels by monocytes, neutrophils, and a minor population of CD16(+), CD56(-) cells. Weaker expression was observed on approximately 50% of B cells and NK cells and minor subsets of CD8(+) T cells and CD4(+) T cells. These results show that despite their high degree of sequence similarity, Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 have distinct expression profiles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Loss of N-glycolylneuraminic acid in human evolution. Implications for sialic acid recognition by siglecs.

The common sialic acids of mammalian cells are N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Humans are an exception, because of a mutation in CMP-sialic acid hydroxylase, which occurred after our common ancestor with great apes. We asked if the resulting loss of Neu5Gc and increase in Neu5Ac in humans alters the biology of the siglecs, which are Ig superfamily members that recognize sialic acids. Human siglec-1 (sialoadhesin) strongly prefers Neu5Ac over Neu5Gc. Thus, humans have a higher density of siglec-1 ligands than great apes. Siglec-1-positive macrophages in humans are found primarily in the perifollicular zone, whereas in chimpanzees they also occur in the marginal zone and surrounding the periarteriolar lymphocyte sheaths. Although only a subset of chimpanzee macrophages express siglec-1, most human macrophages are positive. A known evolutionary difference is the strong preference of mouse siglec-2 (CD22) for Neu5Gc, contrasting with human siglec-2, which binds Neu5Ac equally well. To ask when the preference for Neu5Gc was adjusted in the human lineage, we cloned the first three extracellular domains of siglec-2 from all of the great apes and examined their preference. In fact, siglec-2 had evolved a higher degree of recognition flexibility before Neu5Gc was lost in humans. Human siglec-3 (CD33) and siglec-6 (obesity-binding protein 1) also recognize both Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc, and siglec-5 may have some preference for Neu5Gc. Others showed that siglec-4a (myelin-associated glycoprotein) prefers Neu5Ac over Neu5Gc. Thus, the human loss of Neu5Gc may alter biological processes involving siglec-1, and possibly, siglec-4a or -5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Siglec-8. A novel eosinophil-specific member of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

We describe the characterization of siglec-8, a novel sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin that is expressed specifically by eosinophils. A full-length cDNA encoding siglec-8 was isolated from a human eosinophil cDNA library. Siglec-8 is predicted to contain three extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail of 47 amino acids. The siglec-8 gene mapped on chromosome 19q13.33-41, closely linked to genes encoding CD33 (siglec-3), siglec-5, siglec-6, and siglec-7. When siglec-8 was expressed on COS cells or as a recombinant protein fused to the Fc region of human IgG(1), it was able to mediate sialic acid-dependent binding to human erythrocytes and to soluble sialoglycoconjugates. Using specific monoclonal antibodies, siglec-8 could be detected only on eosinophils and hence appears to be the first example of an eosinophil-specific transmembrane receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ultrastructural localisation of sialoadhesin (siglec-1) on macrophages in rodent lymphoid tissues.

In previous studies it has been demonstrated that sialoadhesin is a macrophage-restricted adhesion receptor for lymphocytes and myeloid cells. It is under normal circumstances expressed by subpopulations of macrophages in lymphoid and haemopoietic tissues. In this study different immunoelectronmicroscopical techniques are used to investigate the ultrastructural localisation of sialoadhesin within the lymph node and spleen of rodents. The results show that sialoadhesin is selectively expressed by a subset of macrophages in peripheral lymphoid tissues. Sialoadhesin was localised predominantly on the plasma membrane and in particular in areas of intimate contact with lymphocytes, thereby visualizing putative local interaction between these cells. Interestingly, sialoadhesin was also detected in intracellular vesicles that were apparently taken up by macrophages. These findings are consistent with the putative role of sialoadhesin in local cell-cell interactions in lymphoid tissues. Surprisingly, sialoadhesin was also found at contact points of macrophages with other macrophages, sinus-lining cells and reticulum cells, suggesting that sialoadhesin also mediates interactions with these cell types.

Animals↗

A novel subset of murine B cells that expresses unmasked forms of CD22 is enriched in the bone marrow: implications for B-cell homing to the bone marrow.

CD22 is a B-cell-restricted transmembrane protein, which acts as a negative regulator of B-cell signalling. CD22 also has lectin-like adhesive properties. When expressed on transfected fibroblasts, it is capable of mediating adhesion to other cells via recognition of cell-surface glycoconjugates terminating in alpha2,6-linked sialic acids. In previous studies in the mouse, CD22 was implicated as a bone marrow homing receptor for recirculating immunoglobulin D+ (IgD+) B cells through recognition of sialylated ligands on marrow sinusoidal endothelium. As the adhesive function of CD22 can be masked when alpha2,6-linked sialic acids are co-expressed at the cell surface, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether recirculating B cells have unmasked forms of CD22 that could be involved in bone marrow homing. Using alpha2,6-sialyllactose coupled to biotinylated polyacrylamide as a probe for detection of unmasked CD22, we showed that approximately 2-5% of IgD+ murine B cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were able to bind this synthetic ligand. In the bone marrow, however, the fraction of IgD+ B cells with unmasked CD22 was increased by two- to fivefold. B cells from CD22-deficient mice were not stained with the polyacrylamide probe, confirming that staining of B cells in wild-type mice was caused by CD22 and not by other potential sialic acid-binding lectins. In conclusion, we have identified a new subset of mature B cells in the mouse with unmasked CD22. This subset of recirculating B cells may bind to CD22 ligands on bone marrow sinusoidal endothelium, leading to their selective homing and subsequent enrichment in this tissue.

Animals↗

Children's physical activity and physical self-perceptions.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical self-perceptions and physical activity in Canadian school children aged 10-14 years. The sample consisted of 220 boys and 246 girls in grades 5-8. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day recall using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Self-perceptions of physical conditioning, sports competence, strength, body appearance and general physical self-worth were measured by the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP). We found that boys were more physically active than girls and had higher perceptions of sport competence and strength. All PSPP scales were significantly correlated with physical activity in both boys and girls. Structural equation modelling procedures found the hierarchical PSPP model provided a good fit to the observed data, with little evidence of differences between the sexes. Analysis of five alternative structural models of the relationship between the PSPP and physical activity found the most parsimonious model to have significant pathways from both physical conditioning and sport skills to physical activity. Models for the sample as a whole, for boys and for girls were similar, accounting for an R2 of 0.27-0.29 for physical activity. Our results demonstrate that physical self-perceptions, especially physical conditioning and sport skills, are significant correlates of activity in this population.

Child↗

Cell-specific glycoforms of sialoadhesin and CD45 are counter-receptors for the cysteine-rich domain of the mannose receptor.

We previously reported that CR-Fc, an Fc chimeric protein containing the cysteine-rich (CR) domain of the mannose receptor, binds to marginal zone metallophilic macrophages (Mo) and B cell areas in the spleen and to subcapsular sinus Mo in lymph nodes of naive mice (CR-Fc(+) cells). Several CR-Fc ligands were found in spleen and lymph node tissue lysates using ligand blots. In this paper we report the identification of two of these ligands as sialoadhesin (Sn), an Mo-specific membrane molecule, and the leukocyte common antigen, CD45. CR-Fc bound selectively to Sn purified from spleen and lymph nodes and to two low molecular weight isoforms of CD45 in a sugar-dependent manner. CR-Fc binding and non-binding forms of Sn, probably derived from CR-Fc(+) and CR-Fc(-) cells respectively, were selected from spleen lysates. Analysis of the glycan pool associated with the CR-Fc-binding form revealed the presence of charged structures resistant to sialidase, absent in the non-binding form, that could correspond to sulfated structures. These results confirm the identification of the CR region of the mannose receptor as a lectin. We also demonstrate that the same glycoprotein expressed in different cells of the same organ can display distinct sugar epitopes that determine its binding properties.

Animals↗