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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Author Spotlight: Dendritic Cells Maturation Using Sialidases-Based Enzymatic Treatment of the Cell Surface
Published on: October 20, 2023
Generation of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells with Differing Sialylated Phenotypes
Vanessa C C Luz1, Zélia Silva1, Patrícia Sobral2
1Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.
Sialic acid removal from dendritic cells (DCs) using sialidase promotes their maturation and enhances anti-tumor immune responses. This approach targets glyco-immune checkpoints for improved cancer immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Glycobiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sialic acids on cell surfaces regulate immune responses and are implicated in cancer immunotherapies.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for adaptive immunity and cancer treatment, but their function depends on maturation.
- Immature DCs have high sialic acid content, suppressing their maturation and T-cell activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sialic acid removal on dendritic cell maturation and function.
- To explore the potential of sialidase treatment for enhancing DC-based immunotherapies.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of in vitro monocyte-derived DCs with sialidase.
- Analysis of cell surface sialic acid phenotypes, maturation markers, and co-stimulatory profiles.
Main Results:
- Sialic acid removal induced DC maturation, increasing MHC and co-stimulatory molecule expression.
- Sialidase treatment enhanced IL-12 production and T-cell polarization towards a Th1 phenotype.
- This process improved the activation of cytotoxic T-cells against tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- Sialic acid is a key modulator of DC function and a potential therapeutic target.
- Sialidase treatment offers a novel strategy to generate mature DCs with enhanced anti-tumor activity for cancer immunotherapy.
