@article{EinarssonBahrkeSigurdssonetal.2013,
  author    = {Einarsson, Jon M. and Bahrke, Sven and Sigurdsson, Bjarni Thor and Ng, Chuen-How and Petersen, Petur Henry and Sigurjonsson, Olafur E. and Jonsson, Halldor and Gislason, Johannes and Thormodsson, Finnbogi R. and Peter, Martin G.},
  title     = {Partially acetylated chitooligosaccharides bind to YKL-40 and stimulate growth of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes},
  series = {Biochemical and biophysical research communications},
  volume    = {434},
  journal   = {Biochemical and biophysical research communications},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {San Diego},
  issn      = {0006-291X},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.02.122},
  pages     = {298 -- 304},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Recent evidences indicating that cellular kinase signaling cascades are triggered by oligomers of N-acetylglucosamine (ChOS) and that condrocytes of human osteoarthritic cartilage secrete the inflammation associated chitolectin YKL-40, prompted us to study the binding affinity of partially acetylated ChOS to YKL-40 and their effect on primary chondrocytes in culture. Extensive chitinase digestion and filtration of partially deacetylated chitin yielded a mixture of ChOS (Oligomin(TM)) and further ultrafiltration produced T-ChOS(TM), with substantially smaller fraction of the smallest sugars. YKL-40 binding affinity was determined for the different sized homologues, revealing micromolar affinities of the larger homologues to YKL-40. The response of osteoarthritic chondrocytes to Oligomin(TM) and T-ChOS(TM) was determined, revealing 2- to 3-fold increases in cell number. About 500 mu g/ml was needed for Oligomin(TM) and around five times lower concentration for T-ChOS(TM), higher concentrations abolished this effect for both products. Addition of chitotriose inhibited cellular responses mediated by larger oligosaccharides. These results, and the fact that the partially acetylated T-ChOS(TM) homologues should resist hydrolysis, point towards a new therapeutic concept for treating inflammatory joint diseases.},
  language  = {en}
}