Glycoproteomics and Immunity

Glycoproteomics, the mass study of glycosylated proteins, has come to be an essential discipline in immunology and has elucidated how glycan modifications regulate immune responses. Glycosylation has a central function in the regulation of immune recognition, signaling, and pathogen-host interactions. This chapter unravels the complex relationship between glycoproteins and immunity, highlighting mechanisms of glycosylation, immune system modulation, and disease pathogenesis. Key areas are glycan-mediated control of antigen presentation, immune evasion mechanisms of cancer cells and pathogens, and the function of glycoproteins in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Improvements in mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomic methods have allowed high-resolution glycoprotein profiling of immune-related glycoproteins, revealing new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We also cover glycoengineering approaches to immunotherapy, highlighting the promise of glycan-modified antibodies and glycan-targeting drugs in the treatment of infections, cancer, and immune disorders. The combination of glycoproteomics and systems immunology reveals deeper understanding of immune regulation, opening the door to precision medicine strategies. In this chapter, our objective is to present an in-depth understanding of glycoproteomics in immunity with emphasis on recent developments and future directions in this fast-moving field.