Project description:We use high-throughput sequencing to profile the response of oral commensal pathogen Streptococcus mutans to mucins protein polymers (human MUC5B mucins) and soluble mucin glycans (human MUC5B glycans and porcine MUC5AC glycans). We find that mucins and their glycans alter the regulation of dozens of S. mutans genes, specifically downregulating competence-associated quorum sensing genes. The transcriptional responses induced by MUC5B mucins, MUC5B glycans, and MUC5AC glycans are highly correlated.
Project description:We use high-throughput sequencing to profile the response of the opportunistic mucosal pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to mucins and mucin-glycans from the mucosal niche. We find that P. aeruginosa undergoes a genome-wide phenotypic shift in response to mucins and their attached glycans. Specifically, nearly all virulence pathways are downregulated in response to these host-produced factors. This study provides a framework for understanding how the host environment regulates bacterial function.
Project description:We use high-throughput sequencing to profile the response of the opportunistic mucosal pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to mucins and mucin-glycans from the mucosal niche. We find that P. aeruginosa undergoes a genome-wide phenotypic shift in response to mucins and their attached glycans. Specifically, nearly all virulence pathways are downregulated in response to these host-produced factors. This study provides a framework for understanding how the host environment regulates bacterial function.
Project description:FGF signaling is essential for salivary gland (SG) development and heparan sulfate (HS) regulation of FGFR function is determined by immense structural diversity of sulfated HS domains. The basement membrane (BM), containing HS proteoglycans, collagens and laminins, separates epithelia from stroma and controls growth factor-matrix cross-talk. 3-O-sulfotransferases generate highly 3-O-sulfated HS domains (3-O-HS) and Hs3st3a1 and Hs3st3b1 are enriched in myoepithelial cells (MECs), which produce BM and are a growth factor signaling hub. To investigate 3-O-HS regulation of MEC function and growth factor signaling, we generated Hs3st3a1;Hs3st3b1 double knockout (DKO) mice. The DKO HS loses specific highly 3-O-sulfated tetrasaccharides, which increases FGF/FGFR-complex binding to HS. During development this leads to increased FGFR-, BM- and MEC-related gene expression. However, in adult DKO SGs the secretory units containing acinar and MECs, have reduced MECs, increased BM and disrupted acinar polarity, resulting in salivary hypofunction. We used defined 3-O-sulfated-HS in FGFR pulldown assays and primary organ cultures to investigate 3-O-HS-dependent mechanisms regulating MEC development. We find that 3-O-HS modulates FGFR signaling to regulate MEC BM synthesis which is critical for secretory unit homeostasis and acinar function. Understanding how sulfated HS regulates development will inform the use of HS mimetics in organ regeneration.
Project description:FGF signaling is essential for salivary gland (SG) development and heparan sulfate (HS) regulation of FGFR function is determined by immense structural diversity of sulfated HS domains. The basement membrane (BM), containing HS proteoglycans, collagens and laminins, separates epithelia from stroma and controls growth factor-matrix cross-talk. 3-O-sulfotransferases generate highly 3-O-sulfated HS domains (3-O-HS) and Hs3st3a1 and Hs3st3b1 are enriched in myoepithelial cells (MECs), which produce BM and are a growth factor signaling hub. To investigate 3-O-HS regulation of MEC function and growth factor signaling, we generated Hs3st3a1;Hs3st3b1 double knockout (DKO) mice. The DKO HS loses specific highly 3-O-sulfated tetrasaccharides, which increases FGF/FGFR-complex binding to HS. During development this leads to increased FGFR-, BM- and MEC-related gene expression. However, in adult DKO SGs the secretory units containing acinar and MECs, have reduced MECs, increased BM and disrupted acinar polarity, resulting in salivary hypofunction. We used defined 3-O-sulfated-HS in FGFR pulldown assays and primary organ cultures to investigate 3-O-HS-dependent mechanisms regulating MEC development. We find that 3-O-HS modulates FGFR signaling to regulate MEC BM synthesis which is critical for secretory unit homeostasis and acinar function. Understanding how sulfated HS regulates development will inform the use of HS mimetics in organ regeneration.
Project description:1. NanoLC-MS2-pd-MS3 dataset on permethylated sulfated AGS O-Glycans
2. NanoLC-MS2-pd-MS3 dataset for the permethylated N-glycans of mouse brain striatum
Project description:Dr. Schwarting's research is focused on the analysis of developmentally regulated cell surface molecules and their role in axon guidance and neuronal migration, using the olfactory system as a model. The interaction of cell surface glycans with endogenous lectins in the extracellular matrix provides one mechanism by which axons can utilize specific pathways as they grow towards their targets. We have a mutant mouse (b3GNT2 KO) that up-regulates the expression of lactosamine containing glycans in a subset of olfactory neurons. Gene expression profiling was performed using control and mutant mice that up-regulate the expression of lactosamine containing glycans in a subset of olfactory neurons. Glycosyltransferase expression that differed between control and mutant mice were identified.
Project description:1. NanoLC-MS2-pd-MS3 dataset on permethylated sulfated AGS O-Glycans
2. NanoLC-MS2-pd-MS3 dataset for the permethylated N-glycans of mouse brain striatum
Project description:Human serum IgM antibodies are composed of heavily glycosylated polymers with five glycosylation sites on the μ (heavy) chain and one glycosylation site on the J chain. In contrast to IgG glycans, which are vital for a number of biological functions, virtually nothing is known about structure-function relationships of IgM glycans. Natural IgM is the earliest immunoglobulin produced and recognizes multiple antigens with low affinity, whilst immune IgM is induced by antigen exposure and is characterized by a higher antigen specificity. Natural anti-lymphocyte IgM is present in the serum of healthy individuals and increases in inflammatory conditions. It is able to inhibit T cell activation, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not understood. Here we show, for the first time, that sialylated N-linked glycans induce the internalization of IgM by T cells, which in turn causes severe inhibition of T cell responses. The absence of sialic acid residues abolishes these inhibitory activities, showing a key role of sialylated N-glycans in inducing the IgM-mediated immune suppression.