AMSBIO was happy to sponsor the UK Proteoglycans conference in January, as part of our long-standing links to the global proteoglycan research community. Thanks to everyone who organized and attended to make it such an enjoyable meeting!
US Research reveals the role of Heparan Sulfate in Obesity
March 1, 2022
AMSBIO Expands EU Operations
February 2, 2022Congratulations to Dr Monica Gamez (Bristol Renal, University of Bristol, UK), as joint winner of the AMSBIO poster prize for her poster: Heparan Sulfate Contributes to Maintenance of Vascular Permeability In The Retina and Can Be Therapeutically Targeted in Diabetes”.
Monica Gamez and her colleagues within Bristol Renal at Bristol Medical School, Bristol University, aimed to show the contribution of heparan sulfate to the retinal endothelial glycocalyx (eGlx).
Retinal Endothelial Glycocalyx
Our group focuses on the role of the endothelial glycocalyx in the microvasculature and how it can be therapeutically targeted in disease. The endothelial glycocalyx is a carbohydrate rich layer which lines the luminal side of endothelial cells in the vessels and is very important for maintaining the integrity of vessels including those found in the glomerular filtration barrier in the kidney, and in the blood-retina-barrier found in the eye. We are able to show heparan sulphate specific staining in these vascular beds, using fluorescein conjugated lectins, alongside specific removal of HS. This is demonstrated using enzymatic removal (heparinase III) or transgenic manipulation (inducible endothelial knock down of HS synthesis). Using confocal microscopy to image lectin staining, and counterstaining to define cell membranes (we use R18), we can calculate glycocalyx depth without interference from lectin staining in the basement membrane or on any other cells. We pair this with functional assays to demonstrate changes in vascular permeability. Using these techniques, we are exploring the role of glycocalyx HS in different microvascular beds in experimental models of diabetes.
