Glycosylation in autoimmune diseases: A bibliometric and visualization study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Biochemistry
• Medical Research

Background:

• Glycosylation is increasingly recognized for its critical role in autoimmune diseases (ADs).
• Understanding the knowledge landscape and emerging trends in glycosylation research within ADs is essential for scientific advancement.
• Bibliometric analysis provides a quantitative overview of research productivity and impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the knowledge framework and identify hot topics in glycosylation research related to autoimmune diseases.
• To analyze publication trends, leading institutions, and influential researchers in the field from 2003 to 2023.
• To provide a data-driven reference for researchers focusing on glycosylation and ADs.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 530 studies on glycosylation in ADs.
• Data sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (2003-2023).
• Analysis performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix software.

Main Results:

• The United States leads in overall contributions, with China showing significant recent growth.
• Leiden University is a top institution, and Manfred Wuhrer is a highly cited author.
• Frontiers in Immunology is the leading journal; research focuses on antibody glycosylation (IgG, IgA) in ADs.
• Emerging trends include glycoengineering for targeted therapies and regenerative materials, with artificial intelligence as a novel tool.

Conclusions:

• This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview of the research on glycosylation in autoimmune diseases.
• Key areas of focus include antibody glycosylation and its implications for disease pathogenesis.
• Future directions involve leveraging glycoengineering and artificial intelligence for innovative AD treatments.