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OligoG CF ‐5/20 normalizes cystic fibrosis mucus by chelating calcium
Author(s) -
Ermund Anna,
Recktenwald Christian V,
SkjåkBræk Gudmund,
Meiss Lauren N,
Onsøyen Edvar,
Rye Philip D,
Dessen Arne,
Myrset Astrid Hilde,
Hansson Gunnar C
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1681.12744
Subject(s) - cystic fibrosis , calcium , mucus , chemistry , chelation , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , biophysics , biology , inorganic chemistry , ecology
Summary The goal of this study was to determine whether the guluronate (G) rich alginate OligoG CF ‐5/20 (OligoG) could detach cystic fibrosis ( CF ) mucus by calcium chelation, which is also required for normal mucin unfolding. Since bicarbonate secretion is impaired in CF , leading to insufficient mucin unfolding and thereby attached mucus, and since bicarbonate has the ability to bind calcium, we hypothesized that the calcium chelating property of OligoG would lead to detachment of CF mucus. Indeed, OligoG could compete with the N‐terminus of the MUC 2 mucin for calcium binding as shown by microscale thermophoresis. Further, effects on mucus thickness and attachment induced by OligoG and other alginate fractions of different length and composition were evaluated in explants of CF mouse ileum mounted in horizontal Ussing‐type chambers. OligoG at 1.5% caused effective detachment of CF mucus and the most potent alginate fraction tested, the poly‐G fraction of about 12 residues, had similar potency compared to OligoG whereas mannuronate‐rich (M) polymers had minimal effect. In conclusion, OligoG binds calcium with appropriate affinity without any overt harmful effect on the tissue and can be exploited for treating mucus stagnation.