Glycosylation and the Immune System

摘要

Almost all of the key molecules involved in the innate and adaptive immune response are glycoproteins. In the cellular immune system, spe- cific glycoforms are involved in the folding, quality control, and assembly of peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and the T cell receptor complex. Although some glycopeptide antigens are presented by the MHC, the generation of peptide antigens form glyco- proteins may require enyzmatic removal of sugars before the protein can be cleaved. Oligosaccharides attached to glycoproteins in the junction between T ells and antigen-presenting cells help to orient binding faces, provide protease protection, and restrict nonspecific lateral protein-pro- tein interactions.