This study describes new yeast expression systems for each subunit of the heterotrimeric epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). We found that a significant amount of each subunit resides in the ER and is destroyed via ERAD. We also found that the chaperone requirements for ENaC subunit degradation were unlike any other ERAD substrate examined.

The Kir2.1 potassium channel is targeted by endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation in yeast. To identify other Kir2.1 quality control factors, a novel yeast screen was performed. ESCRT components were among the strongest hits from the screen. Consistent with these data, ESCRT also regulates Kir2.1 stability in human cells.

Objective Sialic acids frequently occur at the terminal positions of glycoprotein N-glycans present at chondrocyte surfaces or in the cartilage matrix. Sialic acids are transferred to glycoproteins in either α-2,3 or α-2,6 linkage by specific sialyltransferases (SiaTs) and can potentially affect cell functions and cell-matrix interactions. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the expression of the human chondrocyte phenotype and the sialylation of chondrocyte glycoprotein N-glycans. Methods The transcription of 5 SiaT was quantified using real-time RT-PCR assays. N-glycan analysis was performed using LC-ESI-MS. Primary human chondrocytes were cultured in monolayer or alginate beads and compared to the chondrocyte cell lines C-28/I2 and SW1353. In addition, effects of interleukin-1β or tumor necrosis factor-α on primary cells were assessed. Results Primary human chondrocytes predominantly express α-2,6-specific SiaTs and accordingly, α-2,6-linked sialic acid residues in glycoprotein N-glycans. In contrast, the preponderance of α-2,3-linked sialyl residues and, correspondingly, reduced levels of α-2,6-specific SiaTs are associated with the altered chondrocyte phenotype of C-28/I2 and SW1353 cells. Importantly, a considerable shift towards α-2,3-linked sialic acids and α-2,3-specific SiaT mRNA levels occurred in primary chondrocytes treated with IL-1β or TNF-α. Conclusion The expression of the differentiated chondrocyte phenotype is linked to the ratio of α-2,6- to α-2,3-linked sialic acids in chondrocyte glycoprotein N-glycans. A shift towards altered sialylation might contribute to impaired cell-matrix interactions in disease conditions.

Aim of the study Caesalpinia sappan is a common remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine and possesses diverse biological activities including anti-inflammatory properties. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with an inflammatory component that drives the degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix. In order to provide a scientific basis for the applicability of Caesalpinia sappan in arthritic diseases, the present study aimed to assess the effects of an ethanolic Caesalpinia sappan extract (CSE) on human chondrocytes and macrophages. Materials and Methods Primary human chondrocytes were isolated from cartilage specimens of OA patients. Primary cells, SW1353 chondrocytes and THP-1 macrophages were serum-starved and pretreated with different concentrations of CSE prior to stimulation with 10 ng/ml of interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Following viability tests, nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were evaluated by Griess assay and ELISA, respectively. Using validated real-time PCR assays, mRNA levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were quantified. SW1353 cells were cotransfected with a COX-2 luciferase reporter plasmid and nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) p50 and p65 expression vectors in the presence or absence of CSE. Results CSE dose-dependently inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α in IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes and LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. CSE further suppressed the synthesis of NO in primary OA chondrocytes by blocking iNOS mRNA expression. The inhibition of COX-2 transcription was found to be related with the CSE inhibition of the p65/p50-driven transactivation of the COX-2 promoter. Conclusions The present report is first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of CSE in an in vitro cell model of joint inflammation. CSE can effectively abrogate the IL-1ß-induced over-expression of inflammatory mediators at the transcriptional level in human chondrocytes and macrophages, most likely by inhibiting NF-κB (p65/p50) signaling. Blockade of IL-1ß-induced NF-κB signaling and its downstream pro-inflammatory targets by CSE may be beneficial for reducing cartilage breakdown in arthritis.

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