Application of the Antibody-Inducing Activity of Glycosphingolipids to Human Diseases.

ABSTRACT: Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are composed of a mono-, di-, or oligosaccharide and a ceramide and function as constituents of cell membranes. Various molecular species of GSLs have been identified in mammalian cells due to differences in the structures of oligosaccharides. The oligosaccharide structure can vary depending on cell lineage, differentiation stage, and pathology; this property can be used as a cell identification marker. Furthermore, GSLs are involved in various aspects of the immune response, such as cytokine production, immune signaling, migration of immune cells, and antibody production. GSLs containing certain structures exhibit strong immunogenicity in immunized animals and promote the production of anti-GSL antibodies. By exploiting this property, it is possible to generate a

SUBMITTER: Okuda T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8038663 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature