Quantitation of repetitive epitopes in glycosaminoglycans immobilized on hydrophobic membranes treated with cationic...

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear carbohydrate polymers containing repetitive sequences of differently sulfated uronic acid and glycosamine residues that are recognized by antibodies raised against proteoglycans. We have developed a method to demonstrate such repetitive sequence motifs in isolated GAG chains immobilized on hydrophobic membranes derivatized with cationic detergents. Six monoclonal antibodies directed against Cs (2B6, 3B3, Cs56, and 1B5), Hs (HepSS), and Ks (5D4) were used to detect native and chondroitinase-generated epitopes in the immobilized GAGs. All antibodies, except 1B5, were able to detect epitopes in both proteoglycans and isolated GAGs. Type of detergent and buffer composition affected the accessibility and the retention of immobilized GAGs. The epitope density, i.e., the number of repetitive epitopes per GAG mass, was estimated as the ratio between antibody (epitope) and Alcian blue (mass) staining measured simultaneously. The epitope profiles, using six antibodies, were different for each sample (CsA, CsC, Ds, Hs, intact cartilage, and human serum). The epitope profile may be used as a structural characteristic of a GAG population. Electrophoretic separation of GAGs based on their glucuronic/ioduronic acid content and O-sulfate/N-sulfate ratio was performed using a diethylene glycol-diaminobutanol agarose gel. The electrophoretic populations were characterized by immunoblotting to detergent-treated membranes.