Tn antigen interactions of macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL) in immune function and disease

Glycobiology. 2023 Dec 25;33(11):879-887. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwad083.

Abstract

Protein-carbohydrate interactions are essential in maintaining immune homeostasis and orchestrating inflammatory and regulatory immune processes. This review elucidates the immune interactions of macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL, CD301) and Tn carbohydrate antigen. MGL is a C-type lectin receptor (CLR) primarily expressed by myeloid cells such as macrophages and immature dendritic cells. MGL recognizes terminal O-linked N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residue on the surface proteins, also known as Tn antigen (Tn). Tn is a truncated form of the elongated cell surface O-glycan. The hypoglycosylation leading to Tn may occur when the enzyme responsible for O-glycan elongation-T-synthase-or its associated chaperone-Cosmc-becomes functionally inhibited. As reviewed here, Tn expression is observed in many different neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases, and the recognition of Tn by MGL plays an important role in regulating effector T cells, immune suppression, and the recognition of pathogens.

Keywords: Cosmc chaperone; Tn antigen; carbohydrate antigen; immune regulation; macrophage galactose-type lectin (MGL).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate* / chemistry
  • Galactose*
  • Immunity
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides

Substances

  • Tn antigen
  • Galactose
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Polysaccharides