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Interaction Networks between Cytokines and Glycosaminoglycans

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2019) | Viewed by 107

Special Issue Editor

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
Interests: chemokines; cytokines; glycosaminoglycans; HIV comorbidities; inflammation; soluble cytokine receptors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a diverse group of linear heteropolysaccharides found as integral components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement or cellular membranes, usually in the form of covalent complexes with core proteins or proteoglycans (PGs). GAG/PGs have multiple biological activities, ranging from structural roles to functions in cellular recognition, adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation. A key biological function of GAG/PGs involves the binding of cytokines (including chemokines) to cell membranes and the ECM. This binding allows for the “capture” and immobilization of these mediators, providing a local reservoir and facilitating the formation of chemotactic gradients. Furthermore, GAG-binding induces conformational changes and/or aggregation of cytokine/chemokine molecules, facilitating their binding and signaling through specific membrane receptors. Accordingly, targeting GAG–cytokine interactions by using appropriate inhibitors could potentially interfere with cytokine/chemokine-mediated leukocyte recruitment and activation, leading to reduced inflammation and tissue injury. Studies in this area may help identify GAG–cytokine interaction inhibitors as potentially novel immunotherapeutic agents.

This Special Issue calls for original research, mini and full reviews, and perspectives that address the progress and current knowledge on the understanding of the structural bases and physiological implications of GAG-binding by cytokines, as well as efforts to develop inhibitors of these interactions and their effects in vivo models of disease. Contributions are not limited to the fields mentioned in the keywords.

Prof. Dr. Rafael Fernandez-Botran
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cell recruitment
  • chemokines
  • cytokines
  • chemotaxis
  • glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
  • heparan sulfate
  • heparin
  • inflammation
  • inhibitors
  • proteoglycans (PGs)
  • receptors (chemokines, cytokines)
  • signaling

Published Papers

There is no accepted submissions to this special issue at this moment.
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