Engineering (Jul 2023)

Differences in Immunoglobulin G Glycosylation Between Influenza and COVID-19 Patients

  • Marina Kljaković-Gašpić Batinjan,
  • Tea Petrović,
  • Frano Vučković,
  • Irzal Hadžibegović,
  • Barbara Radovani,
  • Ivana Jurin,
  • Lovorka Đerek,
  • Eva Huljev,
  • Alemka Markotić,
  • Ivica Lukšić,
  • Irena Trbojević-Akmačić,
  • Gordan Lauc,
  • Ivan Gudelj,
  • Rok Čivljak

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26
pp. 54 – 62

Abstract

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The essential role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in immune system regulation and combatting infectious diseases cannot be fully recognized without an understanding of the changes in its N-glycans attached to the asparagine 297 of the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain that occur under such circumstances. These glycans impact the antibody stability, half-life, secretion, immunogenicity, and effector functions. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed and compared the total IgG glycome—at the level of individual glycan structures and derived glycosylation traits (sialylation, galactosylation, fucosylation, and bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc))—of 64 patients with influenza, 77 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and 56 healthy controls. Our study revealed a significant decrease in IgG galactosylation, sialylation, and bisecting GlcNAc (where the latter shows the most significant decrease) in deceased COVID-19 patients, whereas IgG fucosylation was increased. On the other hand, IgG galactosylation remained stable in influenza patients and COVID-19 survivors. IgG glycosylation in influenza patients was more time-dependent: In the first seven days of the disease, sialylation increased and fucosylation and bisecting GlcNAc decreased; in the next 21 days, sialylation decreased and fucosylation increased (while bisecting GlcNAc remained stable). The similarity of IgG glycosylation changes in COVID-19 survivors and influenza patients may be the consequence of an adequate immune response to enveloped viruses, while the observed changes in deceased COVID-19 patients may indicate its deviation.

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