How sugar tags on antibodies are controlled
Regulatory Mechanisms of Glycoprotein Sialylation
Researchers are exploring whether changing sugar molecules on antibodies can make them more anti-inflammatory for people with autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319735 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how specific sugar decorations called sialic acids are added to antibodies (IgG) after they leave immune cells. The team focuses on an enzyme (ST6Gal1) and the blood vessel lining as possible locations where antibody sugars get remodeled in different immune environments. They use laboratory experiments with cells, biochemical analysis of antibody sugar patterns, and animal models to see how these changes alter antibody function. The aim is to map the molecular steps that could be targeted to make antibodies less inflammatory.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with antibody-driven autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory autoimmune diseases would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with non-immune disorders or those needing immediate symptom relief are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early-stage laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that reduce inflammation in autoimmune diseases by altering antibody sugar patterns.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have shown that adding sialic acid to IgG can reduce inflammation, but turning that into human treatments remains an early and active area of research.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cobb, Brian a — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Cobb, Brian a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.