Glycans & T cells Activation / Function

N-glycans have a broad effect on the multiple T cell functions with impact both in autoreactivity and in immune tolerance. Particularly, the complex branched N-glycans catalyzed by beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) (encoded by MGAT5 gene) have been demonstrated to control different T cells functions by targeting different T cells receptors (such as TCR, CD25, and CD4) and therefore regulating T cell proliferation, T cell differentiation, T cell signaling as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines. Alterations on GnT-V activity but also in alpha-mannosidase II (α-MII) as well as in N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GnT-I, MGAT1 gene) and II (GnT-II, MGAT2 gene) activity were shown to compromise T cell homeostasis being associated with the development of several autoimmune disorders in…