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Glycosaminoglycans in infectious disease
Author(s) -
Kamhi Eyal,
Joo Eun Ji,
Dordick Jonathan S.,
Linhardt Robert J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
biological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.993
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1469-185X
pISSN - 1464-7931
DOI - 10.1111/brv.12034
Subject(s) - glycosaminoglycan , biology , extracellular matrix , immune system , pathogen , cell adhesion , cell , microbiology and biotechnology , disease , immunology , computational biology , genetics , medicine , biochemistry , pathology
ABSTRACT Glycosaminoglycans ( GAGs ) are complex carbohydrates that are ubiquitously present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Interactions between GAGs and pathogens represent the first line of contact between pathogen and host cell and are crucial to a pathogen's invasive potential. Their complexity and structural diversity allow GAGs to control a wide array of biological interactions influencing many physiological and pathological processes, including adhesion, cell‐to‐cell communication, biochemical cascades, and the immune response. In recent years, increasing evidence indicates an extraordinary role for GAGs in the pathogenesis of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Herein, we examine the interface between GAGs and different pathogens, and address the divergent biological functions of GAGs in infectious disease. We consider approaches to use this understanding to design novel therapeutic strategies addressing new challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases.