Synthesis of functional glycopolymers and analysis of their immuno-suppression activity involved in pollen allergen specific Th2 immune response

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K05559
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Maeda Megumi 岡山大学, 環境生命科学研究科, 准教授 (20434988)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 糖鎖ポリマー / N-グリカン / 植物抗原性糖鎖 / ルイスa抗原 / サトイモ / スギ・ヒノキ花粉症 / 食物アレルギー / ピーナッツアレルゲン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Japanese cedar and cypress pollen allergens occur Lewis a antigen-containing N-glycans. Although the core structure of plant antigenic N-glycans, M3FX, suppress Th2 immune response, the immune activity of Lewis a antigen-containing N-glycans has not been elucidated. In this study, we purified a large amount of Lewis a antigen-containing N-glycans from glycoproteins expressed in Egeria densa and synthesized a multivalent glycopolymer. It was suggested that the glycopolymers suppressed antigen presentation by dendritic cell-like cell lines and may contribute to the suppression of Th2 immune responses.

Free Research Field

糖鎖生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

遊離型の植物抗原性糖鎖（M3FX）は，スギ花粉症患者由来のTh2細胞の免疫応答を抑制する。本研究成果により，ルイスa 抗原含有糖鎖も抗アレルギー薬剤のリード化合物となる可能性が想定され社会的意義がある。また，糖鎖を多価結合させた糖鎖ポリマーの合成も成功しており，種々の糖鎖ポリマーを用いて花粉症のみならず，その他の免疫関連疾患（がんや自己免疫疾患など）の治療にも応用利用される可能性がある点で，学術的に意義があると考えられる。