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Sialylation and Immune Surveillance of Cancer by Siglecs

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Glycosignals in Cancer: Mechanisms of Malignant Phenotypes

Abstract

Changes in cell surface glycosylation are a key feature of cancer initiation and progression. Sialic acid is a major glycan attached to extracellular proteins and lipids. Altered sialylation in cancer can impact at many levels and may result in improved cancer cell survival and spread. Here we focus on sialic acid-dependent interactions of tumour cells with sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins (siglecs). These proteins are expressed broadly in the immune system and can modulate cellular functions in diverse ways. We discuss changes in sialylation commonly observed in tumours and the emerging role of siglecs in modulating both host immune responses and tumour responses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, College of life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD2 5EH, Scotland, UK

    Bindu Mohan & Paul R. Crocker

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  1. Bindu Mohan
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  2. Paul R. Crocker
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Correspondence to Paul R. Crocker .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan

    Koichi Furukawa

  2. Glycobiology Unit, Sanford-Burnham Med Res Inst, La Jolla, California, USA

    Minoru Fukuda

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Mohan, B., Crocker, P.R. (2016). Sialylation and Immune Surveillance of Cancer by Siglecs. In: Furukawa, K., Fukuda, M. (eds) Glycosignals in Cancer: Mechanisms of Malignant Phenotypes . Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55939-9_8

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