Determination of chemokine-glycosaminoglycan interaction specificity

Chemokines are a large group of closely related cytokines that induce directed migration of leukocytes through interaction with a group of seven-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptors. Biological properties of chemokines are influenced by their association with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrices. GAGs immobilize and enhance local concentration of chemokines, promoting their presentation to the receptors. This chapter describes a newly developed method to define oligosaccharide sequences in GAG chains that specifically interact with chemokines. A simple method to quantify the interaction between chemokines and GAGs based on surface plasmon resonance is also described. These methods will be useful in defining chemokine-GAG-binding specificities.