Sialic acid residues are constant constituents of the glycoproteins of the airways in all species. Sialoglycoproteins are the main acidic glycoprotein and their functions are to mediate cell adherence, to control the viscoelasticity of mucus and to serve as receptor sites for the binding of exogenous macromolecules. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the distribution of sialoglycoproteins as a terminal sugar and in the composition of the penultimate sugar according to aging in the murine nasal respiratory and olfactory mucosa. Nasal cavities of mice (BALB/c) were fixed by intracardiac perfusion with 2.0% glutaraldehyde and embedded in Epon 812. First, the serial sections were stained with Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA). Then, the adjacent sections were stained with DBA and PNA before and after neuraminidase digestion in all experimental groups. Apical cell surfaces of olfactory mucosa and cilia on a few ciliated cells in the mucosa of the septum and nasal floor were labelled with MAA, but cell surfaces of respiratory mucosa, Bowman's glands and goblet cells were not labelled with MAA, irrespective of aging. Apical cell surfaces of both olfactory and respiratory mucosa and Bowman's glands were stained with SNA, however, goblet cells were not labelled with SNA. After neuraminidase digestion to remove terminal sialic acid residues of sialoglycoproteins, only cell surfaces of respiratory mucosa were labelled with PNA, but goblet cells, cell surfaces of olfactory mucosa and Bowman's glands were not labelled with PNA. Cell surfaces and Bowman's glands of olfactory mucosa were labelled with DBA after neuraminidase digestion, but cell surfaces of respiratory mucosa and goblet cells were not labelled with DBA. Our results indicate that there were different carbohydrate structures of sialoglycoconjugates in olfactory and respiratory mucosa, and it was not influenced by aging.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.