engleski

Glycosphingolipids: modulators of immune and other cell function

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are life-indispensable constituents of all human cell surface membranes and cytosol membranes like those of secretory granules of some endocrine cells (adrenal medulla, pancreatic islets). The role of GSLs is not only to build the membrane but they exert a lot of biological functions like protein sorting and membrane signalling. Recognition events between complex GSLs and glycoproteins are thought to be required for human tissue differentiation and regulation of immune response. As far as the role of GSLs in diseases is concerned, in cases of GSL lysosomal storage diseases an aberrant GSL expression plays a crucial role in pathogenic process. A large variety of GSL antigens have been described both as blood group antigens and as tumour-related antigens. Several studies have also indicated that GSLs can act not only as antigens, but also as auto antigens. We briefly review recent advances in the field of Gals with emphasis on clinical aspects and critical view on methods of GSL determination which could help to elucidate their crucial importance in physiological as well as in pathological conditions.

glycosphingolipid, ceramide, signal transduction, lysosomal storage disease

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