Glycans in Bacterial and Viral Infections

Carbohydrates or glycans play an important role in human health and diseases. After years of effort, Creative Biolabs has successfully developed universal carbohydrates research platforms and related supporting platforms to better provide high-quality services for global clients.

Background of Bacterial and Viral Infections

Infections, a major cause of death all over the world, are a category of disorders caused by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins they produce, such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, viroids, nematodes, etc. Here, bacterial and viral infections refer specifically to invasions of the body by bacterial and viral microorganisms. Although both bacteria and viruses can cause mild to serious infections, and share similar symptoms and spread in the same way sometimes, infections caused by bacteria and viruses differ in mechanisms and treatments. Therefore, to better prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria and viruses, we must thoroughly figure out the structures of these microorganisms as well as the complex interactions between specific viral or bacterial pathogens and the host.

Glycans in Bacterial and Viral Infections

Numerous investigations indicate that the roles of carbohydrates, particular glycans, and glycoconjugates, playing in the process of bacterial and viral infections should not be neglected. Glycans have effects on bacteria and viruses as well as infections caused by them in various aspects, such as:

• Glycans are the main component of the bacterial structure as well as important compositions of the outermost surface of all animal and plant cells, by which many different kinds of glycan structures coat and comprise the cells wall of bacterial cells.
• Most bacterial pathogens interact with hosts mainly by glycans and glycan-binding receptors.
• Glycans on the surface of bacteria and viruses, such as polysaccharide capsules and lipopolysaccharides are virulence factors, which is responsible for the manifestations of infections and is the key to stimulate the immune system and inflammatory responses.
• Interactions of glycans with lectins play a pivotal role in penetration or invasions through human epithelial barriers of some bacterial and viral pathogens, which may trigger deep-seated infections.

Fig.1 Examples of mechanisms of bacterial adherence to host-cell surfaces (Varki, 2015-2017).

What Creative Biolabs Can Do About Glycans

Glycans are important structural and functional molecules in both humans and other living organisms, meanwhile, they are also possible to be antigens that induce some infections and diseases. In addition to researches on the glycans and relevant diseases, Creative Biolabs has accumulated plenty of successful experience in the services about anti-glycan antibodies. Based on these experience and well-constructed platforms, we are able to provide a wide range of one-stop and custom services about glycans and anti-glycan antibodies for global customers, which including but not limited to:

• Services of anti-glycan antibodies
• Diverse applications
• Pre-made or custom products
• Related supports

Please directly contact us and communicate your specific demands with us.

Reference:

1. Varki, A.; et al. Essentials of Glycobiology, Chapter 42, Bacterial and Viral Infections. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2015-2017.