Journal of Glycobiology
Open Access

An Overview on Functions and Therapeutic Properties of Glycotherapeutics

Yoichi Le^{* *}Correspondence: Yoichi Le, Synthetic Cellular Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan, Email:

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Description

Glycotherapeutics, also known as glycobiology-based therapeutics or glycan-targeted therapies, refers to the development and use of therapeutic strategies that specifically target glycans (carbohydrates) and glycan-related processes in the treatment of various diseases. Glycotherapeutics have gained increasing attention in the field of medicine and biotechnology due to the essential roles that glycans play in numerous physiological and pathological processes.

Types of glycotherapeutics

• Glycan-Based Drugs specifically designed to interact with glycans or glycan-binding proteins. Examples include glycantargeted antibodies, lectins, and glycan mimetics.

• Glycoengineered Biologics are therapeutic proteins, such as monoclonal antibodies and enzymes, can be glycoengineered to modify their glycan structures for enhanced therapeutic efficacy, stability, or reduced immunogenicity.

• Glycosidase Inhibitors involve abnormal glycan processing. Inhibitors of glycosidases (enzymes that break down glycans) can be used to modulate these processes.

Therapeutic Properties of glycans

Glycoengineered biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies with optimized glycan structures, can have enhanced therapeutic properties, including improved stability, longer half-life, and reduced immunogenicity. Some glycans are involved in tissue repair and regeneration processes. Glycosaminoglycan’s (GAGs), for example, are important in wound healing and tissue remodeling. Anticoagulant and Antithrombotic Properties such as heparin and heparan sulfate have anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties and are used in medical settings to prevent blood clots.

Synthesis of glycotherapeutics

The synthesis of glycotherapeutics involves the creation of therapeutic agents that target glycans or glycan-related processes to treat specific diseases or conditions. These therapeutic agents can include small molecules, biologics (e.g., antibodies or enzymes), or vaccines. Glycotherapeutics synthesis is a complex and specialized process that requires expertise in chemistry, glycobiology, and pharmaceutical development.

Begin by identifying the specific glycan structure or glycanrelated target that is relevant to the disease you aim to treat. Determine the chemical and structural characteristics of the target glycan. Decide on the type of glycotherapeutic you want to synthesize (e.g., small molecule inhibitor, glycoengineered biologic, glycan-based vaccine).

Functions of glycotherapeutics

Glycotherapeutics can modify the course of a disease by targeting glycans or glycan-mediated processes that contribute to disease progression. This can involve slowing down disease progression or preventing further damage. These can interfere with the ability of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, to attach to host cells by targeting the pathogen's glycan-binding proteins or glycan structures on the host cell surface.

They modulate the immune response by targeting glycans involved in immune regulation. This may include reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases or enhancing the immune response against pathogens or cancer cells.In cancer therapy, glycotherapeutics can target specific glycan structures on cancer cells or glycan-mediated interactions that promote tumor growth, invasion, or metastasis. They can be used to inhibit tumor progression or enhance the efficacy of other cancer treatments.

Vaccination in the form of glycan-based vaccines can stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against specific glycan structures on pathogens. This helps prevent infection and can be used in preventive medicine. Some glycotherapeutics are designed to inhibit glycosidases, enzymes that break down glycans. This inhibition can be used to modulate glycan processing in diseases where abnormal glycosylation plays a role.

Conclusion

Glycotherapeutics can be used to mitigate adverse effects associated with certain diseases or treatments. For example, they can help manage autoimmune responses or treatment-related toxicities.There wide range of functions in the field of medicine and healthcare, and their applications continue to expand as our understanding of glycobiology advances. These therapeutic agents hold promise for the treatment and management of various diseases and conditions, offering targeted and personalized approaches to improving patient outcomes.