Sialic acid-modified antigens impose tolerance via inhibition of T-cell proliferation and de novo induction of regulatory T cells

Maurizio Perdicchio, Juan M. Ilarregui, Marleen I. Verstege, Lenneke A M Cornelissen, Sjoerd T T Schetters, Steef Engels, Martino Ambrosini, Hakan Kalay, Henrike Veninga, Joke M M Den Haan, Lisette A. Van Berkel, Janneke N. Samsom, Paul R. Crocker, Tim Sparwasser, Luciana Berod, Juan J. Garcia-Vallejo, Yvette Van Kooyk (Lead / Corresponding author), Wendy W J Unger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

139 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Sialic acids are negatively charged nine-carbon carboxylated monosaccharides that often cap glycans on glycosylated proteins and lipids. Because of their strategic location at the cell surface, sialic acids contribute to interactions that are critical for immune homeostasis via interactions with sialic acid-binding Ig-type lectins (siglecs). In particular, these interactions may be of importance in cases where sialic acids may be overexpressed, such as on certain pathogens and tumors. We now demonstrate that modification of antigens with sialic acids (Sia-antigens) regulates the generation of antigenspecific regulatory T (Treg) cells via dendritic cells (DCs). Additionally, DCs that take up Sia-antigen prevent formation of effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Importantly, the regulatory properties endowed on DCs upon Sia-antigen uptake are antigen-specific: only T cells responsive to the sialylated antigen become tolerized. In vivo, injection of Sia-antigen-loaded DCs increased de novo Treg-cell numbers and dampened effector T-cell expansion and IFN-γ production. The dual tolerogenic features that Sia-antigen imposed on DCs are Siglec-E-mediated and maintained under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, loading DCs with Sia-antigens not only inhibited the function of in vitro-established Th1 and Th17 effector T cells but also significantly dampened ex vivo myelinreactive T cells, present in the circulation of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These data indicate that sialic acid-modified antigens instruct DCs in an antigen-specific tolerogenic programming, enhancing Treg cells and reducing the generation and propagation of inflammatory T cells. Our data suggest that sialylation of antigens provides an attractive way to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3329-3334
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume113
Issue number12
Early online date3 Mar 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2016

Keywords

  • Dendritic cells
  • Glycans
  • Regulatory T cells
  • Sialic acids
  • Tolerance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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