Sweet clearance: Involvement of cell surface glycans in the recognition of apoptotic cells

Abstract

Glycans cover the surfaces of all mammalian cells. Their structural variety provides enormous potential for information storage and transfer. According to the concept of the sugar code, they act as biochemical signals decoded by a large number of lectins which are defined as sugar binding proteins. The importance of glycan–lectin interaction in diverse immune system functions becomes increasingly apparent. Here, we review apoptotic cell clearance and especially focus on modifications of glycans on apoptotic cells.

• Apoptosis
• carbohydrates
• lectins
• clearance

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) (project number A4 and N2) at the University Hospital of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, by the European Commissions [E.U. (QLK3-CT-2002-02017_APOCLEAR)]. Part of this work was funded by an intramural grant from the ELAN fond and the Training Grant GK592 from the German Research Community (DFG).