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Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Dendritic Cells Maturation Using Sialidases-Based Enzymatic Treatment of the Cell Surface
Published on: October 20, 2023
Roles for Siglec-glycan interactions in regulating immune cells
Sung-Yao Lin1, Edward N Schmidt2, Kei Takahashi-Yamashiro2
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract:
Cell surface complex carbohydrates, known as glycans, are positioned to be the first point of contact between two cells. Indeed, interactions between glycans with glycan-binding can modulate cell-cell interactions. This concept is particularly relevant for immune cells, which use an array of glycan-binding proteins to help in the process of differentiating 'self' from 'non-self'. This is exemplified by the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins (Siglecs), which recognize sialic acid. Given that sialic acid is relatively unique to vertebrates, immune cells leverage Siglecs to recognize sialic acid as a marker of 'self'. Siglecs serve many biological roles, with most of these functions regulated through interactions with their sialoglycan ligands. In this review, we provide a comprehensive update on the ligands of Siglecs and how Siglec-sialoglycan interactions help regulate immune cells in the adaptive and innate immune system.
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