Hippocampal granule cells (GCs) are generated throughout the lifetime and are properly incorporated into the innermost region of the granule cell layer (GCL). Hypotheses for the well-regulated lamination of newly generated GCs suggest that polysialic acid (PSA) is present on the GC surface to modulate GC-to-GC interactions, regulating the process of GC migration; however, direct evidence of thi...

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a promising molecule for various medical applications (e.g., treatment of inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases). In this study a complete production process for human-identical α-(2,8)-linked polySia was developed using a disposable bioreactor for cultivation of Escherichia coli K1 and single-use membrane adsorbers for downstream processing (DSP). The cultivation...

We investigated the localization of polysialic acid (PSA), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in adult rat retina by using immunofluorescence with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Western blot analysis showed a typical broad smear of PSA and isoforms of NCAM (120, 140, and 180 kD). PSA immunofluorescence revealed multistratification in the...

Neutrophils are able to neutralize pathogens by phagocytosis, by the release of antimicrobial components, as well as by the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The latter possibility is a DNA-meshwork mainly consisting of highly concentrated extracellular histones, which are not only toxic for pathogens, but also for endogenous cells triggering several diseases. To reduce the ne...

Polysialic acid-containing glycoproteins consisting of extended chains of at least 55 sialyl residues (DP55, where DP represents degree of polymerization) are expressed on human neuroblastoma cells, CHP134. The strategy used for detecting these unique carbohydrate structures was based on the use of two highly specific prokaryotic-derived enzyme systems and an anti-polysialosyl antibody (H.46). ...