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Butyrate Increases Heparin Synthesis and Storage in Human Mast Cells.
Syed Benazir Alam1, Zhimin Yan1, Nishita Hiresha Verma1,2
1Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada.
Cells
|August 9, 2024
Summary
Sodium butyrate enhances heparin storage in human mast cells by increasing glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and modifying gene expression. This finding offers insights into mast cell function and mediator storage.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), like heparin, are crucial components of mast cell granules, storing biogenic mediators.
- GAGs released by mast cells are important in helminth expulsion, highlighting the significance of understanding GAG storage mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sodium butyrate (NaBu) on GAG storage in human mast cells (HMC-1).
- To determine if NaBu alters the expression of genes involved in heparin biosynthesis.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of HMC-1 cells with varying concentrations and durations of NaBu.
- Analysis of GAG content, granularity, cell viability, and metabolic activity.
- Quantitative real-time PCR to assess the expression of heparin biosynthesis enzymes.
Main Results:
- NaBu significantly increased GAG content and granularity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, without impacting cell viability or metabolic activity.
- NaBu treatment upregulated the expression of key enzymes in heparin biosynthesis, including GLCE, NDST1, NDST2, HS6ST1, and GALT1.
- Cholesteryl butyrate emulsion (CholButE) also increased heparin content and modestly altered gene expression, while reducing cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Butyrate, in various forms, enhances the synthesis and storage of heparin in human mast cells.
- These findings suggest that butyrate may modulate mast cell function by altering metabolic pathways involved in heparin production.

