Glycan Signatures on Neutrophils in an Equine Model for Autoimmune Uveitis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Glycobiology
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Neutrophil surface protein glycosylation is a key indicator of activation and immune response.
• Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a sight-threatening autoimmune disease in horses, offering insights into human autoimmune uveitis.
• Altered neutrophil glycosylation may influence disease pathogenesis in ERU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the surface glycosylation profile of equine neutrophils in healthy horses.
• To investigate changes in neutrophil surface glyco-signatures associated with ERU.
• To identify potential protein targets of altered glycosylation in ERU.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 35 distinct plant lectins to map surface glycans on equine neutrophils.
• Employed flow cytometry with Jacalin (JAC) lectin to detect O-glycosylation.
• Integrated JAC pull-down assays with neutrophil proteomics for molecular identification.

Main Results:

• Established a comprehensive glycan profile for equine neutrophils.
• Demonstrated significantly increased O-glycosylation on neutrophils from ERU-affected horses.
• Identified Integrin beta-2 and CUB domain-containing protein 1 as potential O-glycosylation anchors in ERU.

Conclusions:

• Novel insights into equine neutrophil glycosylation in health and ERU.
• O-glycosylation is significantly altered in ERU, suggesting a role in autoimmune pathogenesis.
• Increased O-glycosylation may serve as a potential biomarker for equine autoimmune uveitis.