Various Tastes of Sugar: The Potential of Glycosylation in Targeting and Modulating Human Immunity via C-Type Lectin Receptors

Stefanie Busold, Noémi A. Nagy, Sander W. Tas, Ronald van Ree, Esther C. de Jong, Teunis B.H. Geijtenbeek*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are important in several immune regulatory processes. These receptors recognize glycans expressed by host cells or by pathogens. Whereas pathogens are recognized through their glycans, which leads to protective immunity, aberrant cellular glycans are now increasingly recognized as disease-driving factors in cancer, auto-immunity, and allergy. The vast variety of glycan structures translates into a wide spectrum of effects on the immune system ranging from immune suppression to hyper-inflammatory responses. CLRs have distinct expression patterns on antigen presenting cells (APCs) controlling their role in immunity. CLRs can also be exploited to selectively target specific APCs, modulate immune responses and enhance antigen presentation. Here we will discuss the role of glycans and their receptors in immunity as well as potential strategies for immune modulation. A special focus will be given to different dendritic cell subsets as these APCs are crucial orchestrators of immune responses in infections, cancer, auto-immunity and allergies. Furthermore, we will highlight the potential use of nanoscale lipid bi-layer structures (liposomes) in targeted immunotherapy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number134
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Feb 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • C-type lectin receptors
  • glycan vaccines
  • immunomodulation
  • immunotherapy
  • in vivo targeting dendritic cells
  • protein glycosylation in immunology

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