Laminarin, a β-(1,3)-glucan from the seaweed Laminaria digitata, is a polysaccharide which provides anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Its influence on both human dermal fibroblasts adult (HDFa) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) has not been established yet. Herein, laminarin effects were examined on skin cells’ mitochondrial and antioxidant activities. Cytokines, hyaluronic acid, and procollagen type I secretions and interaction mechanisms were explored after a maximum of 72 h treatment with laminarin. Our results demonstrated a decrease in mitochondrial activities with 72 h treatment with laminarin from 500 µg.mL⁻¹ for NHEK cells and from 100 µg.mL⁻¹ for HDFa cells without cytotoxicity. No variation of hyaluronic acid or type I procollagen was observed for all laminarin concentrations, while an antioxidant effect was found against reactive oxygen species (ROS) from 1 µg.mL⁻¹ for HDFa cells in both H₂O₂ and UVA radiation conditions, and from 10 µg.mL⁻¹ and 1 µg.mL⁻¹ for NHEK cells in both H₂O₂ and UVA radiation conditions, respectively. Laminarin treatment modulated both cells surface glycosylation and cytokine secretions of skin cells. Overall, our data suggest a positive effect of β-(1,3)-glucan on skin cells on oxidative stress and inflammation induced by environmental factors. Of note, these effects are through the modulation of glycan and receptors interactions at the skin cells surface.

Carbohydrate related enzymes, like glycosyltransferases and glycoside hydrolases, are nowadays more easily accessible and are thought to represent powerful and greener alternatives to conventional chemical glycosylation procedures. The knowledge of their corresponding mechanisms has already allowed the development of efficient biocatalysed syntheses of complex O-glycosides. These enzymes can also now be applied to the formation of rare or unnatural glycosidic linkages.

Covering: up to December 2011 Glycosylation represents the most complex co- and post-translational modification of proteins. In addition to N- and O-glycans, almost all combinations, including the nature of the carbohydrate moiety and the amino-acid involved, but also the type of the chemical linkage, can be isolated from natural glycoconjugates. This diversity correlates with the importance and the variety of the biological processes (and consequently the diseases) glycosides are involved in. This review focuses on rare and unusual glycosylation of peptides and proteins.

Articular cartilage damage and subsequent degeneration are a frequent occurrence in synovial joints. Treatment of these lesions is a challenge because this tissue is incapable of quality repair and/or regeneration to its native state. Non‐operative treatments endeavour to control symptoms and include anti‐inflammatory medications, viscosupplementation, bracing, orthotics and activity modification. Classical surgical techniques for articular cartilage lesions are frequently insufficient in restoring normal anatomy and function and in many cases, it has not been possible to achieve the desired results. Consequently, researchers and clinicians are focusing on alternative methods for cartilage preservation and repair. Recently, cell‐based therapy has become a key focus of tissue engineering research to achieve functional replacement of articular cartilage. The present manuscript is a brief review of stem cells and their potential in the treatment of early OA (i.e. articular cartilage pathology) and recent progress in the field.