AVENUES OF THE CONTEMPORARY GLYCOSCIENCE: FROM GLYCOMIC TECHNOLOGIES TO DRUGS THAT ARE SWEET INSIDE AS WELL AS AT THE SURFACE
Abstract
Introduction:Changes in cell surface glycosylation accompanies diseases such as inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and malignant transformations. These changes are supposed to be monitored by carbohydrate receptors of lectin type on the surface of cells of the immune system.
However, the exact nature of these receptors orchestrating such reactions remains elusive. Methods: We used a panel of recombinant lectin-like receptors of killer lymphocytes, bioaffinity techniques, oligosaccharide arrays, and mass spectrometry to analyze the complete oligosaccharide profiles responsible for sensitivity of tumor cells for natural killing and apoptosis.
Results: Highly branched N-linked oligosaccharides recognized by NKR-P1 and NKG2D receptors were linked to sensitivity to natural killing. On the other hand, clustered O-linked oligosaccharides cross-linking CD69 receptors were able to cause the apoptotic death of the activated killer lymphocytes.
Conclusions: We were able to identify classes of surface oligosaccharides responsible for natural killing of tumor cells as well as for the ability of tumors to eliminate the killer lymphocytes.