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Glycans in Immunologic Health and Disease
1Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7288, USA;
Annual Review of Immunology
|February 12, 2021
Summary
Glycans, or carbohydrates, are crucial for immune system functions like pathogen interactions and self-recognition. Their roles are vital in diseases such as inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer, offering clinical opportunities.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Glycoscience
Background:
- Glycosylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification found on cell surfaces and secreted proteins.
- Glycans act as critical mediators in diverse immunological processes, including host-pathogen interactions and immune cell recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the extensive influence of glycans on the immune system.
- To discuss alterations in glycan structures and their clinical implications in immune-related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on glycobiology and immunology.
- Analysis of glycan roles in normal immune function and disease pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Glycans are fundamental to immunological recognition, self/non-self discrimination, and immune activation.
- Dysregulated immune responses in inflammatory, autoimmune, and cancer diseases are significantly associated with altered glycosylation patterns.
Conclusions:
- Glycans play a central role in immune system regulation and function.
- Understanding glycan changes in disease states presents significant opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies and diagnostics.
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