Highly modified and immunoactive N-glycans of the canine heartworm

• The canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a mosquito-borne parasitic nematode whose range is extending due to climate change. In a four-dimensional analysis involving HPLC, MALDI-TOF-MS and MS/MS in combination with chemical and enzymatic digestions, we here reveal an N-glycome of unprecedented complexity. We detect N-glycans of up to 7000 Da, which contain long fucosylated HexNAc-based repeats, as well as glucuronylated structures. While some modifications including LacdiNAc, chitobiose, alpha 1,3-fucose and phosphorylcholine are familiar, anionic N-glycans have previously not been reported in nematodes. Glycan array data show that the neutral glycans are preferentially recognised by IgM in dog sera or by mannose binding lectin when antennal fucose and phosphorylcholine residues are removed; this pattern of reactivity is reversed for mammalian C-reactive protein, which can in turn be bound by the complement component C1q. Thereby, the N-glycans of D. immitis contain features which may either mediate immunomodulation of the host or confer the ability to avoid immune surveillance. RAHAM D, 1991, JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY, V77, P254

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Infektionsmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Infectious Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

c-reactive protein

dirofilaria-immitis

schistosoma-mansoni

linked

oligosaccharides

symbol nomenclature

protective immunity

parasitic

helminths

important epitope

o-glycans

phosphorylcholine

Science & Technology - Other Topics

ott al

1988

experimental parasitology

v67

p307

otocols

v1503

p167

ates of america

v110

pe2209

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)