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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
Chemo-enzymatic Synthesis of N-glycans for Array Development and HIV Antibody Profiling
Published on: February 5, 2018
Synthesis of oligosaccharides to identify an immunologically active epitope against Candida auris infection
Rajat Kumar Singh1,2, Emelie E Reuber1,2, Mariolina Bruno3
1Department of Biomolecular System, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces 14476 Potsdam Germany peter.seeberger@mpikg.mpg.de.
Abstract:
Candida auris (C. auris) is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that represents a significant public health challenge as it can spread rapidly and result in high mortality rates. The mannans on the C. auris cell surface are potent immunogens and attractive targets for developing a glycoconjugate vaccine. We synthesized the oligosaccharides resembling cell surface mannans of C. auris and printed them onto microarray slides that were used to screen plasma from mice infected with C. auris. IgM antibodies in mouse plasma recognize the β-1,2 linkage present in C. auris surface mannans. Disaccharide 19 emerged from glycan array screening as a lead for developing a vaccine against C. auris, as the majority of patient plasma samples showed antibodies against this glycan. The synthetic oligosaccharides can be used for the early detection of C. auris infections.
Insights
A novel vaccine candidate targeting Candida auris (C. auris) mannans shows promise. Synthetic oligosaccharides identified a key glycan, disaccharide 19, for potential C. auris vaccine and early detection.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Vaccine Development
Background:
- Candida auris (C. auris) is a multidrug-resistant fungus causing severe infections and high mortality.
- C. auris cell surface mannans are key targets for vaccine development due to their immunogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize C. auris mannans and identify potential vaccine candidates.
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of synthetic oligosaccharides for C. auris infections.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of oligosaccharides mimicking C. auris mannans.
- Glycan array screening using plasma from C. auris-infected mice and patients.
- Identification of specific antibody-glycan interactions, particularly the β-1,2 linkage.
Main Results:
- IgM antibodies in mouse plasma recognized the β-1,2 linkage in C. auris mannans.
- Disaccharide 19 was identified as a promising lead through glycan array screening.
- Majority of patient plasma samples displayed antibodies against disaccharide 19.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic oligosaccharides, particularly disaccharide 19, are potential candidates for a C. auris glycoconjugate vaccine.
- These synthetic glycans may facilitate early detection of C. auris infections.
