Immune cell surface receptors and glycoconjugates

Immune cell surface receptors and glycoconjugates represent a broad and heterogeneous class of molecules essential for the regulation of the immune system. This category encompasses protein receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors and checkpoint inhibitors, as well as glycoconjugates like glycoproteins and glycolipids that present complex carbohydrate structures (glycans) to the extracellular environment (Varki et al., 2022). These molecules facilitate critical processes including leukocyte extravasation via selectins, antigen recognition, and the modulation of immune cell activation through glycan-binding receptors like Siglecs and Galectins (Duan & Paulson, 2020). In many diseases, particularly cancer, the glyco-code on the cell surface is altered to create an immunosuppressive environment, making these receptors and their glycan ligands high-priority targets for therapeutic intervention (Cornelissen & Van Vliet, 2016). Current pharmacological strategies include monoclonal antibodies that block inhibitory receptors or disrupt specific glycan-protein interactions to restore anti-tumor immunity or reduce pathological inflammation (Zhou et al., 2018).

Other names

Immune cell surface moleculesLeukocyte surface antigensGlycan-binding receptorsGlyco-immune checkpointsCell surface glycoconjugates

Modulation of immune cell activation, migration, and effector functions through the targeting of specific protein receptors or their associated glycan ligands.