A method to identify trace sulfated IgG N-glycans as biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis

Nat Commun. 2017 Sep 20;8(1):631. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00662-w.

Abstract

N-linked glycans on immunoglobulin G (IgG) have been associated with pathogenesis of diseases and the therapeutic functions of antibody-based drugs; however, low-abundance species are difficult to detect. Here we show a glycomic approach to detect these species on human IgGs using a specialized microfluidic chip. We discover 20 sulfated and 4 acetylated N-glycans on IgGs. Using multiple reaction monitoring method, we precisely quantify these previously undetected low-abundance, trace and even ultra-trace N-glycans. From 277 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 141 healthy individuals, we also identify N-glycan biomarkers for the classification of both rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive and negative RA patients, as well as anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA)-positive and negative RA patients. This approach may identify N-glycosylation-associated biomarkers for other autoimmune and infectious diseases and lead to the exploration of promising glycoforms for antibody therapeutics.Post-translational modifications can affect antibody function in health and disease, but identification of all variants is difficult using existing technologies. Here the authors develop a microfluidic method to identify and quantify low-abundance IgG N-glycans and show some of these IgGs can be used as biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptides, Cyclic / immunology
  • Polysaccharides / immunology
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Rheumatoid Factor / immunology
  • Sulfates / immunology
  • Sulfates / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Polysaccharides
  • Sulfates
  • cyclic citrullinated peptide
  • Rheumatoid Factor