Immunochemical Detection and Glycosaminoglycan Disaccharide-Based Characterization of Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are polyanionic extra/pericellular matrix macromolecules that surround almost all cell types and create microenvironmental niches to support miscellaneous cellular events. In general, the multifunctional properties of CSPGs are attributable to the structural divergence of the CS glycosaminoglycan (GAG) moieties. Because the expression profiles of the GAG chains of CSPGs change with developmental stage, aging, and disease progression, characterization of the GAG chains is essential to understand the functional roles of CSPGs. This chapter describes the basic protocols for GAG moiety-based immunochemical detection of CSPGs in biological samples in conjunction with CS disaccharide composition analysis.