Glycan Microarrays as Chemical Tools for Identifying Glycan Recognition by Immune Proteins

Abstract

Glycans and glycan binding proteins (GBPs or lectins) are essential components in almost every aspect of immunology. Investigations of the interactions between glycans and GBPs have greatly advanced our understanding of the molecular basis of these fundamental immunological processes. In order to better study the glycan-GBP interactions, microscope glass slide-based glycan microarrays were conceived and proved to be an incredibly useful and successful tool. A variety of methods have been developed to better present the glycans so that they mimic natural presentations. Breakthroughs in chemical biology approaches have also made available glycans with sophisticated structures that were considered practically impossible just a few decade ago. Glycan microarrays provide a wealth of valuable information in immunological studies. They allow for discovery of detailed glycan binding preferences or novel binding epitopes of known endogenous immune receptors, which can potentially lead to the discovery of natural ligands that carry the glycans. Glycan microarrays also serve as a platform to discover new GBPs that are vital to the process of infection and invasion by microorganisms. This review summarizes the construction strategies and the immunological applications of glycan microarrays, particularly focused on those with the most comprehensive sets of glycan structures. We also review new methods and technologies that have evolved. We believe that glycan microarrays will continue to benefit the growing research community with various interests in the field of immunology.

A versatile soluble siglec scaffold for sensitive and quantitative detection of glycan ligands

“…Interactions between Siglecs and glycan ligands is commonly studied with plate-, bead-, and microarray-based assays 39,40 . In plate-and bead-based approaches, competitive assays yield IC 50 values that do not necessarily reflect K D values.…”

Detection of Human CD38 Using Variable Lymphocyte Receptor (VLR) Tetramers

“…The non-conventional VLR antibodies of the evolutionarily distant jawless vertebrates provide a source of anticipatory receptors with structural characteristics distinct from those of conventional mammalian immunoglobulins. Monoclonal VLR antibodies with specificities to carbohydrate antigens [18,[29][30][31][32] or tyrosine sulfation-dependent antigen recognition [21] emphasize the potential of VLR antibodies as a novel class of reagents in biomedical research applications. Previously, we isolated the decameric VLRB MM3 antibody whose recognition of human CD38 correlated with dimerization and CD38 enzymatic activity [19].…”

Changes in Protein Glycosylation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…The glycobiology of HNSCC is an important but understudied field. Initially, monoclonal antibodies were used to identify tumor-related glycosyl changes; currently, more advanced technologies, such as ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), glycan microarrays, lectin histochemistry and agglutination cell count, are used to identify tumor polysaccharides 137 , 138 . These emerging research methods integrate glycomics, proteomics, genomics, lipidomics and metabolomics, making the study of glycobiological systems possible 139 .…”