Late apoptotic and necrotic cell surface glycans

Late apoptotic and necrotic cell surface glycans are carbohydrate structures that become exposed or modified on the plasma membrane of cells as they lose integrity or undergo specific glycosylation changes during death (Frontiers in Immunology, 2019). In healthy cells, these glycans—such as terminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), mannose, or desialylated galactose residues—are typically sequestered within intracellular compartments like the endoplasmic reticulum or masked by terminal sialic acids (NIH, 2016). As cells progress into late apoptosis or necrosis, these "hidden" glycans are exposed, serving as universal "eat-me" signals for immune recognition and clearance (efferocytosis) by proteins such as mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2006). These glycans have emerged as valuable therapeutic and diagnostic targets, particularly for the development of aptamer-based ligands (e.g., Optimers) used in non-invasive imaging of cell death and monitoring the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments (Aptamer Group, 2022). By binding specifically to the surface of dying cells, these agents can provide real-time data on tumor response to therapy or the extent of tissue damage in conditions like myocardial infarction (ResearchGate, 2020).

Other names

Cell surface glycans of dying cellsApoptotic cell surface glycansNecrotic cell surface glycansTerminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residuesMannose-rich glycans on dead cellsDesialylated cell surface glycans

Binding to exposed terminal sugar residues (e.g., GlcNAc, mannose) on the surface of late apoptotic and necrotic cells.