IL-4 induces the differentiation of monocytes toward dendritic cells (DCs). The activity of many cytokines is modulated by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). In this study, we explored the effect of GAGs on the IL-4-induced differentiation of monocytes toward DCs. IL-4 dose-dependently up-regulated the expression of DC-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), CD80, CD206, and CD1a. Monocytes sta...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Chondroitin sulfates are glycosaminoglycans bound to core proteins of proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets surrounding many types of neurones. Chondroitin 4- and chondroitin 6- sulfate can bind calcium ions with different affinities, depending on their sulfation position. Extracellular calcium plays a key role in determining the transmembrane potential...

A variety of multidimensional anthropogenic activities, especially of industrial level, are contaminating our aquatic and terrestrial environments with a variety of metallic and non-metallic pollutants. The metallic and non-metallic pollutants addressed specifically in this review are heavy metals and various compound forms of sulfates, respectively. Direct and indirect deleterious effects of t...