Host cell sialic acid glycans (Sia-glycans)

Host cell sialic acid glycans are terminal sugar residues found on the surface of almost all vertebrate cells, typically attached to glycoproteins and glycolipids. They play a critical role in biological processes such as cell-cell adhesion, signaling, and the regulation of the immune system through interactions with Siglecs (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins) (Varki, 2008, Nature). In the context of infectious diseases, many pathogens, including influenza viruses and certain coronaviruses, utilize host cell sialic acids as primary receptors for attachment and entry (Matrosovich et al., 2015, Journal of Molecular Biology). In oncology, hypersialylation of the cell surface is a hallmark of many cancers, contributing to immune evasion by creating a "sialic acid shield" that inhibits natural killer cell and T-cell activity via Siglec binding (Gray et al., 2020, Nature Chemical Biology). Therapeutic strategies targeting these glycans include the use of sialidases to strip the sugars from the cell surface or small molecule inhibitors that prevent viral enzymes from interacting with them (Malaker et al., 2018, PNAS).

Other names

Sialylated glycansSialosidesN-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) glycansNeuraminic acid derivativesTerminal sialic acids

Inhibition of viral neuraminidase to prevent cleavage of sialic acid and viral release; enzymatic removal of terminal sialic acids from host cell surfaces to prevent viral entry or enhance anti-tumor immune responses; blocking of sialic acid-binding sites on pathogens or host receptors.