β1,4-Galactosyltransferase-I contributes to the inflammatory processes in synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to examine the expression and possible biological function of β1,4-galactosyltransferase-I (β1,4-GalT-I) in synovial tissue from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.


METHODS
Synovial tissue samples from twelve RA patients were stained for β1,4-GalT-I. Samples from seven patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and eight healthy people were obtained as controls. Real-time PCR or western blot analysis was used to observe the expression of β1,4-GalT-I and E-selectin. Cellular colocalization of β1,4-GalT-I, galactose-containing glycans and other molecules was analyzed by double immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
Expression of β1,4-GalT-I and galactose-containing glycans increased in synovial tissue of RA patients compared with OA patients and healthy controls. Most galactose-containing glycans and β1,4-GalT-I were expressed in inflammatory cells. E-selectin overexpressed and was correlated with galactose-containing glycans in RA synovial tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that β1,4-GalT-I may play an important role in the inflammatory processes in synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Wang
Youhua
Y
Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, People's Republic of China. wangyouhuant@yahoo.com.cn
Xu
Dawei
D
Tao
Ran
R
Wang
Hairong
H
Wang
Qiuhong
Q
Shen
Aiguo
A
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005700:Galactosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D019040:E-Selectin; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011134:Polysaccharides; D005700:Galactosyltransferases; C493310:beta1,4-galactosyltransferase, human