title: Glycosaminoglycans in infectious disease.
abstract: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex carbohydrates that are ubiquitously present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Interactions between GAGs and pathogens represent the first line of contact between pathogen and host cell and are crucial to a pathogen's invasive potential. Their complexity and structural diversity allow GAGs to control a wide array of biological interactions influencing many physiological and pathological processes, including adhesion, cell-to-cell communication, biochemical cascades, and the immune response. In recent years, increasing evidence indicates an extraordinary role for GAGs in the pathogenesis of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Herein, we examine the interface between GAGs and different pathogens, and address the divergent biological functions of GAGs in infectious disease. We consider approaches to use this understanding to design novel therapeutic strategies addressing new challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, 12180-3590, U.S.A.; Drughoming Ltd, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kamhi
authors.forename: Eun Ji
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dordick
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Linhardt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans
keywords: bacteria; glycosamimoglycans; infectious disease; parasites; protein-carbohydrate interactions; virus