December 2008

• Neu5Gc: Consequences of dietary ingestion of non-human glycans

  Non-human glycan N-glycolylneuraminic acid present on human cells originates from dietary sources, and may promote bacterial toxin action and tumor progression.

  Original research paper: Nature 456, 648-652 (29 Oct 2008)
  

• Modulating immune cell development: Polysialic acid sticks out

  The polysaccharide polysialic acid carries multiple negative charges and is expressed on leukocytes in humans and mice, where it influences inflammatory reactions and the immune rejection of primary tumors.

  Original research paper: J Immunol. 181, 6850-6588 (2008)
  

• Toll-like receptors: Short and sweet

  Proteolytic cleavage of the Toll-like receptor TLR9 creates a functional receptor that is retained at intracellular endolysosome compartments.

  Original research paper: Nature 456, 658-662 (2008)
  doi:10.1038/nature07405