Gemcitabine alters sialic acid binding of the glycocalyx and induces inflammatory cytokine production in cultured endothelial cells

Gemcitabine (GEM) is an anticancer drug inhibiting DNA synthesis. Glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported as an adverse effect. However, the precise mechanism of GEM-induced endothelial injury remains unknown. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the confluent phase were exposed to GEM (5–100 μM) for 48 h and evaluated cell viability and morphology, lectin binding concerning sialic acid of endothelial glycocalyx (GCX), and immunofluorescent staining of platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The mRNA expression of α2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal1), sialidase (neuraminidase-1: NEU-1), and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 was also evaluated. GEM exposure at 5 μM induced cellular shrinkage and intercellular dissociation, accompanied by slight attenuation of PECAM and VEGFR2 immunostaining, although cell viability was still preserved. At this concentration, lectin binding showed a reduction of terminal sialic acids in endothelial GCX, probably associated with reduced ST6Gal1 mRNA expression. IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression was significantly increased after GEM exposure. GEM reduced terminal sialic acids in endothelial GCX through mRNA suppression of ST6Gal1 and induced inflammatory cytokine production in HUVECs. This phenomenon could be associated with the mechanism of GEM-induced TMA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00795-022-00347-4.