Scientific Publications
Mice deficient in intestinal γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes display an altered intestinal O-glycan profile compared to wild-type littermates.
Glycobiology, 25 , 42-54
Intestinal γδ T-cell receptor-bearing intraepithelial lymphocytes (γδ IELs) play a multifaceted role in maintaining mucosal homeostasis. In order to investigate the relationship between O-glycosylation and inflammation, we carried out an in-depth mass spectrometric comparison of the intestinal O-glycosylation profile of mice lacking γδ IELs (TCRd(-/-)) and of their wild-type littermates (WT). A total of 69 non-sulphated and 59 sulphated compositional types of O-glycans were identified in the small intestine and colon of TCRd(-/-) and WT mice. Our results demonstrated structural differences in intestinal glycosylation in TCRd(-/-) mice compared to WT littermates. TCRd(-/-) colons contained a lower proportion of core-2 structures and an increased proportion of core-1 structures whereas TCRd(-/-) small intestines had a decreased percentage of core-3 structures. The glycan antennae in TCRd(-/-) colon and small intestine showed altered structural diversity compared to WT mice. There were significant differences in the sialylated species between the TCRd(-/-) and WT mice with the sialylated Tn antigen found exclusively in the TCRd(-/-) small intestine, whereas the sulphation pattern remained mostly unchanged. These findings provide novel molecular insights underpinning the role of ?d IELs in maintaining gut homeostasis.
Glycobiology, 25 , 42-54
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