Activity levels of a beta1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in lymphomonocytes from multiple sclerosis patients.
The activity of the Golgi glycosyltransferase beta1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (core 2 GlcNAc-T), which plays a role in T-cell activation and cell-cell adhesion, appears to be modulated in resting lymphomonocytes during different phases of multiple sclerosis (MS). In particular, a significant decrease (25-30%) of the enzyme activity was observed, with respect to healthy subjects, in MS patients who were in relapse or in the very early stages of remission. A similar trend was found to be associated with patients affected by active lesions. A statistically significant decrease in the enzyme activity was also observed in patients with the progressive form. By contrast, core 2 GlcNAc-T activity did not appear correlated with duration of the disease. Interestingly, MS individuals under treatment with IFN-beta1a, an immunosuppressive agent, showed levels of activity which were comparable with those observed in healthy subjects. Together, these observations suggest that down-regulation of core 2 GlcNAc-T activity is linked to the occurrence of acute phases in the relapsing-remitting form and to the progressive form of the disease, probably caused by altered expression of glycoproteins which are involved in lymphomonocyte activation and/or interaction with the endothelium. Additionally, it appears that the enzyme assay may provide a useful marker of the disease activity and the effects of therapeutical approaches.
Orlacchio
A
A
Istituto di Neuropsichiatria-Neurologia, Università di Perugia, Italy.
Sarchielli
P
P
Gallai
V
V
Datti
A
A
Saccardi
C
C
Palmerini
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases