Neutrophil recruitment and extravasation at sites of inflammation provide a mechanism for host defense. We showed previously that heparan sulfate, a type of sulfated glycosaminoglycan, facilitates neutrophil recruitment based on the reduction of neutrophil infiltration in mice in which the overall sulfation of the chains was reduced by selective inactivation of
IntroductionThe inflammatory response, initiated by injury or infection, begins by release of cytokines, such as TNF-␣ and IL-1, from resident macrophages. These effectors stimulate endothelial cells, resulting in the secretion of von Willebrand factor, which aids in platelet recruitment and thrombus formation, and the rapid appearance of P-selectin on the apical (lumenal) face of endothelial cells. P-selectin interacts with its primary ligand, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 expressed on neutrophils, enabling rolling of the cells under blood flow. Chemokines released by resident inflammatory and stromal cells transcytose across the endothelium and bind to the apical surface. Their presentation to rolling leukocytes then activates G-protein-coupled receptors, which in turn activates integrins and causes firm adhesion of the leukocytes to the endothelium. Changes in cell shape and spreading occur followed by transcellular and paracellular extravasation. After entry into tissues, neutrophils release proteases and reactive oxygen species that kill foreign pathogens and prepare the tissue for repair.A large body of evidence suggests the importance of heparan sulfate in inflammation. Cytokines (TNF-␣, IL-1, and others), Land P-selectins, and chemokines bind to therapeutic heparin and purified heparan sulfate. Furthermore, heparin blocks L-and P-selectin in vivo in mice, 1,2 which may explain in part its anti-inflammatory activity in humans. 3 Recently, we showed that mice bearing an endothelial-specific mutation of the biosynthetic enzyme, N-acetylglucosamine N-deacetylase-N-sulfotransferase-1 (Ndst1) exhibit reduced neutrophil extravasation in vivo in several acute inflammatory models. 4 Decreased neutrophil infiltration was partially the result of enhanced rolling velocity in vitro, which correlated with weaker binding of L-selectin to endothelial cells. Inactivation of Ndst1 also resulted in reduced chemokine transcytosis across endothelial cells and reduced presentation on the cell surface. Ndst1-deficient mice exhibit decreased allergen-induced airway hyper-responsiveness and inflammation characterized by a significant reduction in airway recruitment of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes). 5 Heparan sulfate has a complex structure, consisting of variably sulfated disaccharides arranged in clusters, which make up the binding sites for ligands. 6 Ndst1 and other Ndst isoforms catalyze the initial sulfation of subsets of glucosamine residues, creating the substrates for 2-O-sulfation of adjacent uronic acid residues and 6-O-sulfation (and more rarely 3-O-sulfation) of N-sulfoglucosamine units. 7 Thus, inactivation of...