Progress in research on human anti-exogenous N-acetylneuraminic acid antibodies

Abstract

N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is one of the predominant sialic acids expressed on mammalian cells. Human cannot synthesize Neu5Gc due to the lack of CMAH gene. Exogenous Neu5Gc can be integrated into human tissues and cells, especially tumor cells. Some symbiotic bacteria in human body could scavenge Neu5Gc in surrounding environment and stimulate the immune system to produce anti-Neu5Gc antibodies. Evidence has shown that the binding of Neu5Gc antigen to anti-Neu5Gc antibodies enhances the inflammatory reaction and eventually promotes the formation of tumor. Here we briefly review the researches on anti-Neu5Gc antibodies. Key words: N-acetylneuraminic acid; Anti-Neu5Gc antibody; Chronic inflammatory reaction; Tumor