Glycan regulation in cancer, nervous and immune system: A narrative review

Glycans are carbohydrate components of glycoconjugates, which interact with their receptors; for example, galectins and C-type lectins. The specificity to their receptors makes them the ideal biomarkers that they can be used as a therapeutic target or as a screening tool. We collected and reviewed articles from different databases, which show that glycans play a significant role in several body functions, such as stimulation of the immune system, and can be used in the differentiation among cancer types. They also help in nervous system repair, regeneration, regulation and proliferation. Furthermore, several pathogens like Schistosoma, HIV, Influenza, Candida, and Ebola produce glycoproteins to aid in the invasion via attachment to surface glycoproteins and defend themselves against the host's immune system.

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Persistence ofToxoplasma gondiiin the central nervous system: a fine-tuned balance between the parasite, the brain and the immune system

Parasite Immunology ◽

10.1111/pim.12173 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 150-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

N. Blanchard ◽

I. R. Dunay ◽

D. Schlüter

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Immune System ◽

System A ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

The Brain

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Stimulation of the innate immune system: a paradigm for the future identification of disease modifying agents to treat asthma and allergic diseases

Emerging Therapeutic Targets ◽

10.1517/14728222.4.3.313 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 313-321 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robert J Williams

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Innate Immune System ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Innate Immune ◽

System A ◽

The Future ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

Disease Modifying Agents ◽

Stimulation Of

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Role of autonomic nervous system controlling surface tension in fetal rabbit lungs

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1977.43.6.1039 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 1039-1045 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

A. J. Corbet ◽

P. Flax ◽

A. J. Rudolph

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Adrenergic Receptors ◽

Static Pressure ◽

Parasympathetic Nervous System ◽

Uterine Wall ◽

System A ◽

Volume Curve ◽

Pressure Volume Curve ◽

Stimulation Of

After the maternal abdomen was opened under methoxyflurane anesthesia, fetal rabbits of 27.5 days gestation were given injections through the intact uterine wall of saline, pilocarpine, isoxsuprine, muscarine, phenylephrine, atropine, phenoxybenzamine, or propranolo, alone or in appropriate combinations. Fetal rabbits were delivered by hysterotomy and killed without breathing 2.5 h later. Static pressure-volume curves with air showed improved retention on deflation in fetal rabbits that had injections of pilocarpine, or isoxsuprine, but not of muscarine or phenylephrine. The effect of pilocarpine on the pressure-volume curve was blocked by atropine, phenoxybenzamine, and propranolol, and the effect of isoxsuprine was blocked by propranolol but not phenoxybenzamine. The data suggest that pilocarpine produces secretion of surfactant into lung air spaces by exciting the sympathetic nervous system, a known function of pilocarpine, rather than the parasympathetic nervous system. This may result in stimulation of the same beta-adrenergic receptors affected by isoxsuprine which is also thought to stimulate surfactant secretion.

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