Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Biomimetic Materials to Characterize Bacteria-host Interactions
Published on: November 16, 2015
Sweet impersonators: Molecular mimicry of host glycans by bacteria
Hanna de Jong1,2, Marc M S M Wösten2, Tom Wennekes1
1Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bijvoet Center for Biomedical Research, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht 3584 CG, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
All bacteria display surface-exposed glycans that can play an important role in their interaction with the host and in select cases mimic the glycans found on host cells, an event called molecular or glycan mimicry. In this review, we highlight the key bacteria that display human glycan mimicry and provide an overview of the involved glycan structures. We also discuss the general trends and outstanding questions associated with human glycan mimicry by bacteria. Finally, we provide an overview of several techniques that have emerged from the discipline of chemical glycobiology, which can aid in the study of the composition, variability, interaction and functional role of these mimicking glycans.
Related Concept Videos
Glycocalyx and its Functions
Proteoglycans
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...

