title: Evidence for a unique N-linked glycan associated with human infertility on sperm CD52: a candidate contraceptive vaccinogen.
abstract: A major objective in developing a sperm antigen-based contraceptive vaccine for humans is the discovery of sperm surface immunogens that are functionally relevant and sperm specific. The latter criterion is deemed essential to avoid the possibility of inducing autoimmune disease upon vaccination. This review presents evidence that a unique carbohydrate epitope is synthesized in the human epididymis, is attached to the core peptide of CD52, a lymphocyte differentiation marker, and is subsequently inserted into the sperm membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. This unique CD52 glycoform is localized to the entire sperm surface, functions as a potent target for agglutinating and cytotoxic antibodies, and is one of the few well-defined sperm surface glycoproteins indicated in human antibody-mediated infertility.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Center for Recombinant Gamete Contraceptive Vaccinogens, Department of Cell Biology, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Diekman
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Klotz
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Westbrook
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Herr
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; C000613862:CD52 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014612:Vaccines