Sialic acid-binding cell surface receptors

Sialic acid-binding cell surface receptors are a diverse group of transmembrane proteins, primarily comprising the Siglec (Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin) and Selectin families, that recognize sialic acid-containing glycans on the cell surface [1, 5, 11]. These receptors are essential for mediating cell-cell interactions, immune signaling, and leukocyte trafficking [4, 9, 14]. Siglecs, mostly expressed on immune cells, typically function as inhibitory checkpoints that help the immune system distinguish 'self' from 'non-self,' a process often subverted by cancer cells through hypersialylation to escape immune detection [3, 6, 17]. Selectins (E-, L-, and P-selectin) are critical for the tethering and rolling of leukocytes on vascular endothelium during inflammatory responses [9, 11, 18]. Due to their restricted expression and pivotal roles in disease, these receptors are major therapeutic targets in oncology, hematology, and inflammatory disorders [2, 4, 8]. Clinical applications include antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) like gemtuzumab ozogamicin for leukemia and monoclonal antibodies like crizanlizumab for sickle cell disease [1, 2, 4]. Ongoing research also explores their roles as entry receptors for pathogens and as targets for novel immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors [10, 13, 15, 20].

Other names

SiglecsSialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectinsSelectinsI-type lectinsSialic acid receptorsSialoadhesinsSialic acid-binding proteins

Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) mediated cytotoxicity; Immune checkpoint inhibition; Inhibition of leukocyte adhesion and rolling; Agonist-induced apoptosis; Targeted receptor blockade.