A solid-phase screening method for identification of glycan-binding cells

Abstract

Glycan immobilization and epitope recognition on a solid support is useful for functional glycoproteomics and analysis of protein-protein interactions. However, the lack of high-throughput experimental methods for the examination of cell-glycan interactions means that identifying glycan-binding cells remains a challenge. Herein, we describe a tool which enables the screening of glycanbinding cells that specifically recognize the glycan epitopes released from the membrane glycoproteins of cells and tissues. Biotinylated pig kidney N-glycans were immobilized on streptavidin-conjugated solid supports and then incubated with human immune cell lines. U937 cells discriminated between the alpha-galactose (alpha-Gal) and non-Gal pig N-glycans on the solid support. This screening strategy could aid exploration of cell-protein or cell-cell interactions.