Preventing the binding of pathogens to the host by controlling sphingolipid metabolism.
The binding of many pathogens and toxins to human cells can be inhibited by (1) depleting host cells of their surface glycosphingolipids; (2) coating the binding sites on pathogens (adhesins) with glycosphingolipid-like substances (decoys); (3) coating the host's glycosphingolipids with substances that compete with the pathogen for binding. Details of using these methods are described.
Radin
Norman S
NS
Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. gluconorm@aol.com
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D013107:Sphingolipids