Immunoreactivity in mammals of two typical plant glyco-epitopes, core alpha(1,3)-fucose and core xylose

Glycobiology. 2003 Jun;13(6):427-34. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwg024. Epub 2002 Dec 17.

Abstract

The presence of nonmammalian core alpha(1,3)-fucose and core xylose glyco-epitopes on glycans N-linked to therapeutic glycoproteins produced in plants has raised the question of their immunogenicity in human therapy. We address this question by studying the distribution of these N-glycans in pea, rice, and maize (which are the crops intended for the production of therapeutic proteins) and by reinvestigating their immunogenicity in rodents. We found that immunization with a model glycoprotein, horseradish peroxidase, elicits in C57BL/6 mice and rats the production of antibodies (Abs) specific for core alpha(1,3)-fucose and core xylose epitopes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that about 50% of nonallergic blood donors contains in their sera Abs specific for core xylose, whereas 25% have Abs against core alpha(1,3)-fucose. These Abs probably result from sensitization to environmental antigens. Although the immunological significance of these data is too speculative at the moment, the presence of such Abs might introduce some limitations to the use of plant-derived biopharmaceutical glycoproteins, such as an accelerated clearance during human therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Fucose / immunology*
  • Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Glycoproteins / therapeutic use
  • Horseradish Peroxidase / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Mammals / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oryza / chemistry
  • Oryza / immunology
  • Pisum sativum / chemistry
  • Pisum sativum / immunology
  • Plants / chemistry*
  • Plants / immunology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Xylose / immunology*
  • Zea mays / chemistry
  • Zea mays / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Epitopes
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immune Sera
  • Fucose
  • Xylose
  • Horseradish Peroxidase