Characterisation of sialylation patterns on the surface of physiologic immune effector cells and tumour cells

Altered glycosylation patterns are a hallmark of malignant transformation. These alterations in the glycan repertoire may contribute to numerous processes such as adhesion, migration, metastasation and immune evasion. The latter may be facilitated to some extend via sialic acid binding Ig-like lectins (siglec) present on immune cells. These siglecs possess immune-suppressive capacities. In addition, modifications in glycosylation also occur during regular haematopoietic cell development and are of fundamental importance in cellular function and cell-cell interactions. However, the role of lectins in health and d…